Interview

'A flash of brilliance will unlock the game'

Joe Montemurro knows just how finely-poised our Women's Champions League quarter-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain is.

PSG have run French giants Lyon close over the past couple of seasons in their domestic league, and our head coach is expecting a cagey affair in San Sebastian.

"They have a very, very formidable top three, very quick," he told Arsenal Digital. "They are expansive going forward, they will send numbers forward and they are dangerous in transition and especially in areas beyond our defensive line. 

"Again, limiting those opportunities, limiting those transition moments, it suits us, it suits our way because we want to have the ball, we want to keep the ball. The minimal opportunities that we give them to attack directly will nullify their strengths. 

"In saying that - I'm calling it a cup final because every game's a cup final - it's a moment, it's a mistake, it's a situation, it's a flash of brilliance that's going to unlock two top teams.

"I said this earlier, that the WSL has set us up in good stead for this tournament because it is a tough competition," Montemurro added. "Any team that you can play on their day will give you trouble. 

"I don't know if it's right to make the comparison with the French league but there are definitely seven or eight teams in the WSL that are strong. There's the top two in France obviously and then probably one or two that are challenging. As I said, the WSL holds us in good stead for these tournaments."