Caroline Weir ready to set aside friendships as Real Madrid look to finish job against Arsenal in UWCL quarter-finals

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Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir is relishing the opportunity to go up against Arsenal in the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final. Madrid come into the crunch encounter at Emirates Stadium with a two-goal cushion in what promises to be a thrilling clash between two of the best sides in the women’s game. Enjoy all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir insists friendships will be put to one side as she prepares to go up against her former side Arsenal for a place in the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Spanish giants come into the clash at Emirates Stadium – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Linda Caicedo and Athenea del Castillo either side of the break in the first leg of the blockbuster last-eight tie.

But it is still all to play for as the 29-year-old goes up against fellow Scotland international Kim Little.

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"I know Kim really well, we’ve played together for many years in the national team," Weir told TNT Sports. "She’s a great player, great person and so experienced. She knows what she needs to do and what her team needs to do.

"But we’re both very competitive so when we’re playing out there, we’re not necessarily friends, but I have a lot of respect for Kim, she’s achieved loads in her career and I’m looking forward to playing against her."

Weir joined Arsenal in 2013 but struggled to nail down a regular place in the team before leaving the club two years later.

After a spell at Bristol Academy, however, she enjoyed successful stints at Liverpool and Manchester City before joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in July 2022.

A three-time Women’s FA Cup winner and twice an FA Women’s League Cup champion, Weir described the victory over Arsenal in the first leg as "probably one of my biggest career highlights" and is relishing the chance to finish the job and play at Emirates for the first time.

"It’s really exciting [to play at Emirates]," she added. "When I was here we trained on it but we never played.

"And obviously in the last couple of years, Arsenal have played here loads of times and really made it their home and they have a great fan base so I’m expecting a great atmosphere.

"It’ll be special to play a match here for sure."

McCabe: We need to nullify Caicedo

Arsenal’s Katie McCabe is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing her side in trying to overturn their two-goal deficit and spoke of the threat Caicedo poses.

Weir described the 20-year-old Colombian as "one of the best players" she’s ever played with, and McCabe echoed those sentiments.

"She’s an excellent player, young talent, lots of energy, lots of skill and she’s got composure in front of goal so she’ll be a threat for sure that we need to nullify," McCabe told TNT Sports.

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Arsenal did bounce back from their first-leg defeat with a thumping 4-0 win over Liverpool at home in the Women’s Super League.

They will also be roared on by a fervent home support, something McCabe hopes can prove decisive.

"We know it’s going to be a difficult task, we’re 2-0 down heading into the second leg but we’ve got 20,000 fans," the left-back added.

"We’re off the back of a good result against Liverpool so we’ll be doing everything we can to try and get the win.

"It’s always special coming to the Emirates. It’s a different feeling and a different atmosphere each time we get there, and especially on a Champions League night as well. You can’t really describe it.

"The energy the fans bring really pushes us on when we’re on the pitch. We’ll be needing them loud."

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Watch the UEFA Women's Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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