“It’s special to play at a stadium like that.” For Tottenham Hotspur forward Rosella Ayane, Saturday’s WSL meeting with Arsenal is a game that means just that little bit more.
Back in 2019 the two clubs from north London set a record, playing in-front of 38,262 fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the biggest crowd in Women’s Super League history. This weekend there won’t be any fans in attendance, but the game will still be held at the “ridiculously good” Spurs stadium, something that Ayane hopes will become more of a trend when supporters are allowed to return.
“I’ve already experienced a derby there with nearly 40,000 fans attending, and it’ll be really special to play there again this weekend,” she said in a conversation with i. “It’s such a ridiculously good stadium, the facilities are amazing and the pitch is class. Quality pitches like that make for better football.”
Better football is an enticing prospect for the viewers, but Spurs will also need to be at their very best if they are to get a result against Arsenal, who last won the WSL as recently as 2019. In contrast, Spurs are in their fledgling years in the division, currently enjoying only their second season in the top-flight after gaining promotion in 2019.
The countdown is on…#NorthLondonDerby
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) March 23, 2021#COYS pic.twitter.com/SbBiIqqqJl
However, Ayane and her teammates almost got one over their north London rivals in the Continental League Cup earlier this season, taking the Gunners to penalties. And under the leadership of new coach Rehanne Skinner, Spurs have played some good football to work their way firmly into mid-table in the league, giving Ayane reason for optimism ahead of the derby.
“I’m in a good place and Tottenham are in a good place. Arsenal are obviously a good team, but we’re feeling positive about the game.
“When you’re playing against a team like that, who have such good defenders and are likely to have more of the ball, then you know that chances are slightly harder to get. As a forward player it’s just about taking those chances when they come, that’s mine and the team’s aim for this weekend, be as clinical as we can with the opportunities we make.”
The focus on Saturday’s fixture will only be heightened by this week’s news that Sky Sports and the BBC have signed a huge broadcast deal with the WSL, which will see 22 games broadcast live on terrestrial TV each season and two further games per matchday shown on Sky.
“Having more matches on TV can only be a good thing for the game, more exposure, more interest, more people watching,” Ayane said. “It’s getting bigger all the time already, you can see it developing and more and more people showing an interest.”
The impact of the deal will not only be an increased audience for the league, but also a huge cash boost to a competition that has changed a great deal in the past few years. For Ayane, now 25, that change has been evident during a career that saw her come through the Chelsea centre of excellence as a talented teenager.
“It can sometimes feel like slow progress, but you have to take a step back and think about how far it’s already come. When I started at Chelsea eight years ago they weren’t even totally professional. Now they are, and they’re one of the best teams in Europe so the game is getting there, and this is another big stepping stone.
“From my perspective, I can see how much it’s changed, and you just know from this that the players coming through will have better coverage, better opportunities, things like that.”
Regardless of the derby result, the future looks bright for Tottenham, who are looking upwards as they aim to develop into a major force in English football. The club attracted legendary striker Alex Morgan for a loan spell earlier this season, while the signings of the likes of Shelina Zadorsky, Cho So-hyun and Alanna Kennedy have added international pedigree to a talented and largely youthful squad.
“The target for this season is to finish in the top half of the table,” Ayane told i. “That was the realistic aim when the coaching change happened and it’s still the aim now.
“Then, going forward, we’re looking to build towards being a team who could qualify for the Champions League. Tottenham are a great club that’s growing all the time, and I feel like I’m improving as a player here too, so it’s an exciting time to be involved.”
It’s hard not to agree. This is an exciting time for the players, an exciting time for Tottenham and an exciting time for the WSL. The future is bright.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3rrYW8R
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