Less is more: what's behind russo's form?
Our red-hot forward talks about her own form and why she's never standing still
Do you watch a lot of football when you’re not playing?
I pretty much have football on all the time: men’s, women’s, Champions League, Premier League, anything. Depending on how my mood is, I’ll watch other games tactically and try to learn from other players. I remember when I was a kid, my dad used to always encourage me to watch certain players to learn from their game. I still do that, but I probably watch it more as a fan now. It’s nice to just sit and enjoy a game of football sometimes! Of course, if there are skills or movements I can pick up along the way, then I’ll take it.
Are there specific players that you look at and still try to emulate?
I love Harry Kane. I think he’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen live. Seeing how he finds the tightest of spaces to get a shot away is incredible.
You’re in superb form and only one goal away from overtaking your tally from last season. Do you ever set individual targets at the start of a season?
I really thrive off other players and the whole idea of being in a team. When we’re doing well collectively, it’s so easy for me to perform because I’m happy, I’m confident and I love playing with the girls. I don’t necessarily set targets but there are definitely things that I want to reach.
I think being fit and available is one of the most important assets as a footballer, so I always try to prioritise looking after my body. As a forward, creating and scoring as much as I can is always a nice way to contribute, but there’s so much more that we all offer as players. Playing in an incredible team makes my job a lot easier.
How do you ensure you stay fit throughout the season?
It’s hard and we put our bodies through a lot! You just find little ways to help look after yourself and find time to balance. I love napping! I’m a big napper. It’s just really important to take time to completely switch off from football when you can.
What has been your favourite game to play in this season so far?
I think the Chelsea game in the Champions League at home. It was a massive game. A London rival. A spot in the semi-finals up for grabs. Of course, it was the first leg, so to make that mark and lead by two goals was huge. Last season in the Champions League we always came from behind in the second leg, whereas this year we had to defend our lead and hold on to it. I think it’s great for us as a team to have been able to do both. I learned a lot from that experience.
Did the team approach the second leg at Stamford Bridge any differently?
We wanted to go out there and score. In the end, we didn’t manage to, but we did what we needed to do to see out the game. Sometimes that’s enough. I think you do take a slightly different approach towards the end of the game. Early on we wanted to attack and be on the front foot, but we probably didn’t have as many chances as we would have liked. It’s so tough. You want to say it doesn’t affect your mentality because it doesn’t.
We still wanted to win that game, but you’ve also got to be practical and do what it takes to progress. There was last-ditch defending, some great saves from Daph, and moments like that are really important. We know we can rely on each other to step up.
What gets you into the right headspace before a game? Do you have a set routine?
Yes, I like to switch off the night before a game. I’ll watch some TV before I go to sleep – a rubbish film or some reality TV. Then, on the day of the game, I’ll have a coffee and my pre-match meal, and listen to the same music. In the changing room I have my little ritual where I get a massage and do my hair. I think having small processes makes you focused in the moment because they provide some normality. Then the game doesn’t feel like this big occasion – it’s just the same thing you do every week.
"everyone said it was the most 'me' assist ever, because i fell over!"
How do you approach coming back from an international break and immediately switching gears to a big semi-final?
It is tough at first. Everyone has played a different style away with their national teams, but we gel again really quickly. The staff are really good at getting us focused on what we’re trying to do as a team.
Everyone’s missed each other, so on a personal level it’s nice to come back, see everyone and hang out together again. It always helps when you get some good form with your national team as well.
Have you ever provided an assist quite like the one you did against Spain?
No! Everyone says it’s the most “me” assist ever because I fell over, it landed on my foot and I flicked it up. Which I guess makes sense because I do fall over a lot! It doesn’t matter how it goes in the net. I was just lucky that it fell perfectly and on instinct, I just tried to flick it back towards the goal. Thankfully, Hempo was there to turn it in.
After England played Iceland, Karen Carney called you one of the best strikers in the world. How does that feel?
It’s obviously so nice when someone like Karen Carney says something like that, because she’s someone I have a lot of respect for. For me, I’m always striving to be better, perform better and contribute more to the team. So even when I hear lovely words like that, I’m still chasing. There are always more things that I can work on and growth that I can still achieve.
How has it been working with new players such as Liv, Smilla and Taylor this season?
It’s been great. The girls who arrived in the summer and in January have fitted in so well – not only on the pitch but off it. It’s great to have them here and it’s great linking up with new players.
When I first came to Arsenal, I struggled a bit at first to find my feet. You have to learn so many new connections and I think the girls who have come in have done that so quickly. It’s amazing to see. I love playing with everyone on this team, so hopefully we can go and end the season on a high.
You’ve been close friends with Taylor for years – it must be great to have her here.
I absolutely love having Taylor here. I’ve known her for years but I think she’d forgotten how clumsy I was! Me, Taylor and Lotte have gone through the age groups together, along with Chloe who’s a little older. It’s so nice to have your people. We get on really well as a team and everyone can chat to everyone, but everyone also has their little bestie. You want to have that person you can lean on and vice versa.
Me, Taylor and Lotte have a little group chat with Kyra to check in with her. She sends us videos and pictures all the time and it’s lovely to still have that connection while she’s in Australia. We’re all happy that she’s at home and with her family.
Last season, we locked in when it mattered most in the Champions League. How does this team find that motivation to get things over the line?
I think we have a lot of experience in our squad; players who have played in big moments and big games, whether that be club or country. The more you do that, the more experience you gain for these high-level moments.
We also have players who can turn up in big moments regardless of whether they’ve been there before. The trust and belief in the squad is massive and we just love performing when it’s crunch time. There’s no other option. We have to go out and perform. Hopefully, we can do that again in this semi-final.
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