Hoffenheim needed to win by five clear goals to progressArsenal boss Jonas Eidevall says it was “a terrible feeling” to see their Women’s Champions League quarter-final spot almost “slip through our hands” in a 4-1 defeat at Hoffenheim.The hosts needed to win by five or more to go through at Arsenal’s expense.Three quickfire goals gave them hope after being level 1-1 at the break.”It’s the worst thing in the world to feel you are losing something that’s basically 100% secure before the game,” Eidevall said.”In five minutes, we conceded three goals, and two of them is just us giving away the ball. We gave goals to them for free.”It’s a terrible to have the feeling of ‘is this going to slip through our hands?'”Then it’s a positive that we recomposed ourselves into the game, and then we go through.”So it’s a very weird feeling.”Despite the loss, the Gunners finished second behind defending champions Barcelona in Group C on nine points.The German side, who lost the reverse fixture 4-0 in October, had their campaign ended despite finishing level on points with the Gunners and putting four goals past the Women’s Super League leaders themselves. Jule Brand opened the scoring for the hosts before a Laura Wienroither own goal put the sides level at half-time. Chantal Hagel netted twice and Gia Corley once as Hoffenheim rattled the visitors early in the second half. Hoffenheim v Arsenal as it happened Arsenal, without World Cup-winning United States forward Tobin Heath because of a muscle… Click below to read the full story from BBC Sport
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Hoffenheim v Arsenal: Gunners qualify for knockout stage despite heavy defeat by Hoffenheim
