Friday’s briefing: Arsenal and Man Utd secure Women’s Champions League victories

Holders Arsenal got their Women’s Champions League campaign up and running with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Benfica in Lisbon.

Manchester United overcame the first-half dismissal of defender Dominique Janssen to close out a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid and maintain their 100 per cent start.

Aston Villa were informed away fans will not be allowed to attend next month’s home Europa League match against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv due to safety concerns.

Gunners at the double

Arsenal boss Renee Slegers felt her side’s hard-fought 2-0 win over Benfica proved a “nice Champions League night” as the holders got their European campaign up and running in Lisbon.

The defending European champions – beaten by Lyon in their opening fixture of the new-look league phase – went ahead through a scrappy goal from Beth Mead just before the hour.

Arsenal – having ended a four-match winless run with victory over Brighton in the Women’s Super League on Sunday – made sure of three points when Alessia Russo slotted in from a well-worked free-kick by substitute Chloe Kelly.

“A good atmosphere, great stadium, great pitch. It was a nice Champions League night. We had to stay patient, work on the details,” Slegers said, quoted on the Arsenal website.

“I am so happy with the early goal in the second half, and then the energy of the game changers coming in, bringing new energy, bringing new qualities.

“Then the second goal was really nice for us, of course. Coming from a set-piece, that was really good.

“I am really happy with us. When we don’t create the big chances and loads of chances, that we find ways to win the game.”

Marc Skinner praises United spirit

Marc Skinner hailed the “Manchester United spirit” of his side after they overcame a first-half red card for defender Dominique Janssen to battle to a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid and maintain their perfect start to the new Women’s Champions League campaign.

Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfo fired in a close-range volley, her first goal since a summer move from Barcelona, to give the English side a 24th-minute lead.

Netherlands centre-back Janssen was then shown a red card before the break following a VAR review into her sliding challenge on Gio Garbelini, who was taken off on a stretcher.

Atletico also finished the match with 10 players after defender Alexia Fernandez collected a second yellow card with 15 minutes left.

It was a second straight European win for Skinner’s side, who had beaten Valerenga in their opening Champions League match and are also undefeated in six Women’s Super League matches so far.

“There are games where you play beautiful football and there are games where you fight and you show the other side of the game and the quality that you have as a team,” Skinner said in an interview on the Manchester United website.

Skinner added: “I was always brought up on watching Manchester United in Europe on TV, watching the historic moments, the tight games where they just turn it on and they have the ability to win those games.

“Looking at our team, I think we have that same spirit – we have a Manchester United spirit through and through.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans face Villa Park ban

Aston Villa have been informed that away fans will not be allowed to attend next month’s home Europa League match against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv due to safety concerns.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and the potential threat of protests, the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has told Villa that no travelling supporters will be permitted at Villa Park.

“Following a meeting (on Friday) afternoon, the SAG have formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend Villa Park for this fixture,” a club statement read.

“West Midlands Police have advised the SAG that they have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night.”

West Midlands Police said it has a strong track record of successfully policing football matches and other high-risk public events, stressing that, based on officers’ professional judgment, it believed the measure will help mitigate risks to public safety.

The ban, though, was condemned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as well as a number of Jewish political leaders and Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar.

Sir Keir said on X: “This is the wrong decision. We will not tolerate antisemitism on our streets.

“The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

What’s on today?

Friday night’s live action in the Sky Bet Championship will see promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough and Ipswich go head to head at the Riverside Stadium.

The Premier League also resumes this weekend after the international break.

Several clubs will be holding press conferences on Friday – including Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Manchester City along with Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.