Alice de Koster-Kitto 23/5/25
CommBank Matildas and Arsenal defender Steph Catley is headed to what is sure to be one of the biggest moments of her footballing career. Catleys Arsenal are set to take on reigning European Champions FC Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final this weekend, marking the club’s first shot at the trophy in 18 years.
“It is a massive occasion, but we’re really excited for it”, says Catley, looking onto taking on such a huge threat, as Barcelona look for their third consecutive win. Catley and her Arsenal teammates aren’t deterred by their status as the underdog, rather capitalising on their ability to come out on top when least expected.
Arsenal has had a massive, and at times, tumultuous Champions League campaign thus far, coming from behind in two knockouts, having overcome deficits in the second leg, to defeat both Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais, with this resilience giving Arsenal the confidence to go all the way.
“The team that we have this year in particular is very very resilient you know, we’ve got superstars in our team, we’ve got such talented players, but i think as a team the way we work for each other particularly off the ball, it’s not like many teams in the world can do that”
“We’re ready to all be at our best, all focus on that on the day.”
While they’ve garnered this reputation of impeccable comebacks, the chance to play in a one-and-done final is an experience the squad is looking forward to putting their all into this last chance at the trophy.
“Anything can happen, two amazing teams going at it, it’s the best thing about Champions League football.”
“I think that’s been the key throughout the season is that, you know, we’ve got a really strong foundation, but how can we keep getting better?”
Among great successes this past season, Arsenal have also known their fair share of losses, but Catley reflects on these “couple of dips in form in league football” positively, believing “it’s almost like we needed to have that in a way because we learnt so much from those moments”
“We’ve gone over that with a fine-tooth comb and we’ve ironed out all the kinks, and we’ve learnt so much from that.”
As such a crucial part of Arsenal’s defence, it is Steph in particular who will be looking to hold off the attacking giant that is FC Barcelona. “Defensively getting consistency and detail, and really caring about clean sheets,” has been a “massive focus” for Arsenal this season, says Catley, “and that being a core part of what we believe in.”
“When you think about us defending, it starts with the press and it starts with our forwards, putting teams in situations that help us at the back that make things predictable.”
Win or lose, the triumphs achieved at Arsenal this season, which have gotten them to this stage, cannot be understated. “When you play here, you feel a real deep connection to the club and you want to do well for the team, but also what the club stands for”, Catley reflects on the rich history of Arsenal, and what it means to play for the badge on Europe’s biggest footballing stage.
“This club is just full of history and full of so much success and so many wonderful stories.”
Steph Catley and her CommBank Matildas and Arsenal team-mates, Cailtin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross, are no strangers to playing on a stage such as this one, with the 2023 home World Cup, and the successes found within that, instilling the confidence in the trio to shake off any nerves that might come with stepping in front of a huge Lisbon crowd.
“Coming into a game like this, I know I feel prepared, I know I’ve played in front of big crowds before when everything’s on the line and it means everything to you.”
For Steph, the opportunity to play in a Champions League final goes beyond the shot at the trophy. Beginning her footballing career on an all-boys team in Melbourne, European football and the idea of the Champions League just wasn’t on the cards”
“All I knew at the time was that I loved football and I wanted to play”
The representation of Australian football on a global level has come in leaps and bounds over recent years, with Catley and her teammates at the forefront of opening up these possibilities for budding Australian footballers.
Catley’s hopes going into the final, no matter the result, are that the belief of young Australians will be further cemented, as they see themselves represented at such an elite level.
“If you see that there are three Australians playing in this Champions League final, then it’s definitely possible for them.”
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