Lia Wälti pushing for another UWCL fairytale with Juventus after Arsenal triumph
An icon of the game in many ways, revered as a heroine of London’s red side, Lia Wälti won almost everything there was to win during her time at Arsenal, including the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Wälti represented Switzerland 125 times – one of her country’s most capped players – and it’s safe to say that Wälti has earned her legendary title.
Advertisement
Now, by representing Italian giants Juventus, Wälti has added to his already significant personal medal tally. Juventus beat Roma at the Stadio Romeo Menti earlier this season to win the inaugural Serie A Women’s Cup in a 3-1 victory.
Now, Wälti and Juve are aiming for a new milestone by facing each other in the Champions League this season.
“We know that we are not one of the teams that everyone considers likely to win (the UWCL). Our biggest goal is, of course, what we all think about is to win the Champions League,” the 32-year-old said. “We will do everything to annoy the ‘bigger’ teams and be sure to advance to the next round.”
No easy path in the Champions League
Juventus will face dangerous opposition almost relentlessly as they seek their place in the UWCL quarter-finals. After beating Benfica, Juventus will face Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Lyon, St. Polten and Manchester United.
Advertisement
Despite the obvious challenges ahead, Wälti is not afraid to dream of joining an elusive group of players such as Lucy Bronze and Conny Pohlers to win the UWCL with different clubs.
“If you had even asked me if I had won the Champions League when I was with Arsenal, I wouldn’t even have known how to answer,” Wälti admitted. “Of course it’s always been a dream, something you think about deep down, I think, but it takes so much to win.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL – MAY 24: Kim Little and Lia Wälti of Arsenal celebrate with the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy after beating FC Barcelona during the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final match between Arsenal WFC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Jose Alvalade (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Advertisement
The Bianconere number 13 continued: “Honestly, you need a lot of luck (to win the UWCL). You need so many perfect performances. You have to see what’s around you all the time against the best teams in the world, it’s hard, but we did it.
“We would of course like to win it, that’s our goal, we want to win it together. But it’s a long journey and it’s too early to think too much about it.”
Access a management position in Italy
Recently we spent some time with Juventus star Tatiana Pinto. The Portuguese playmaker told us that she and Wälti were signed by Juventus for their experience. Wälti admitted that this was not a completely new situation for her.
Advertisement
“At Arsenal last year, when I might not have had as many minutes as usual, my role now was to support the players. In training, helping them to be at their best and offering them advice or support whenever I could.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Leah Williamson (left) and Lia Waelti of Arsenal celebrate their team’s victory during the FA Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
“Of course, the situation is different now. I think when I joined Arsenal, women’s football was not yet as big as it is today. We just built something really special over the years together. Now I joined a team with 23 incredible players but maybe a little less experience at this level. So yes, me and players like Tatiana (Pinto) share our experiences in exactly the same way with the team.”
Advertisement
With a trophy already in the bag this season for Juventus and their UWCL campaign off to a successful start, it’s clear that the new influx of players at Juventus has settled in well.
“Adapting to a new place is really important,” Wälti said. “If I’m asked for my opinion, I’ll give it. If I’m asked to be a leader on the pitch, I will do it. And if I’m asked to adapt certain things, I will do that too. It’s a mix of everything.”
The next big thing in women’s football
Wälti is not only a leader in the Juventus dressing room, but she is also a key figure for Switzerland. The midfielder started all of her country’s matches over the summer as they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2025.
Advertisement
Part of a senior player’s role is to guide the next generation of stars. Wälti has previously worked with 18-year-old Barcelona starlet Sydney Schertenleib. The speedy midfielder has already made an impression on the world stage for Switzerland, making her international debut at 17.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Sydney Schertenleib of Switzerland during warm-up before the UEFA Women’s Nations League 2024/25 Grp A2 MD1 match between Switzerland and Iceland at Stadion Letzigrund on 02/21/2025. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
“It’s been many, many years since I’ve seen someone as good as Sydney. She’s one of our biggest young talents that we have in Switzerland. Technically, she’s a very, very good player,” admitted Wälti.
Advertisement
“She brings so much to a team, she already competes with the best players on an incredible team. She is absolutely someone who can lead Switzerland to moments of success over the next ten or two years.
“I really believe in her. I want to take all the pressure off her. Young players should just be able to be free, be creative on the pitch and be courageous. I hope she has the freedom to do that in the next couple of years because I see the expectations are rising around her and people are already starting to put pressure on her to perform.”
What’s next for Juventus?
Juventus will need to find results against some major opposition to advance to the next round of the UWCL. They will look to build on their positive start against Benfica with a follow-up victory against Bayern Munich on October 16 in their first away match of the campaign.
Advertisement
Related articles from Her Football Hub:
Juventus star Tatiana Pinto says winning Champions League is ‘ultimate goal’ this season
Goalkeeper Cata Coll commits long-term to Barcelona
Transfer records in women’s football: why 2025 blockbuster deals are a key milestone