"It’ll be great to play against Vicky, Marta and Natalia"

Bayern Munich and Arsenal Ladies completed their stage in Sancti Petri (Cádiz) and Isla Canela (Huelva), this weekend.The two teams meet in a friendly at La Cartuja, Seville this afternoon. After five days of intensive workouts and double training sessions, both sides are now primed for the starts of their respective league campaigns.

This afternoon’s friendly between of the top sides in Europe has generated great expectation in Seville – particularly for the chance to see several Spanish players in action close up.

Runaway Frauen-Bundesliga leaders Bayern, who have a 12 –point advantage over their nearest rivals Wolfsburg, will be back in action at home to FC Köln when the competition resumes on 14 February. Continental Cup winners Arsenal Ladies start the FA WSL with an opening day meeting with Reading on 23 March.

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One player who is relishing today’s game is Vero Boquete, enjoying her first season with Bayern; and also looking forward to it are Arsenal Ladies’s Spanish international players and Vicky Losada, Marta Corredera and Natalia Pablos – and also their coach, Pedro Martínez Losa.

“It’s going to be a very special game, In Spain, in Seville, between two teams who have a number of Spanish players”, Vero Boquete told AS. “I’m really excited about playing against Vicky, Marta and Natalia, and also facing a side managed by a Spanish coach. I hope a lot of people come along to watch us”.

Pedro Martínez Losa says the game represents a challenge for the Gunners: “For us, it’s very important to test ourselves against opponents of Bayern’s level. The team’s been working hard and is up for the challenge. There’s a very Spanish feel to this match, with four players on the pitch and one on the bench and it’s a great occasion to continue consolidating women’s football in Spain”, he said.