Juventus Women’s Estela Carbonell: “Champions League Prep Is on Track, National Team Return Would Be a Dream”

Juventus Women defender Estela Carbonell has given an upbeat assessment of the team’s pre-season preparations, highlighting a new tactical approach under coach Maxi Guerrero and the squad’s growing confidence ahead of the Women’s Champions League qualifiers. The Spanish centre-back spoke after Juventus won a friendly 2-1 against Como on Saturday, in a match that served as part of the club’s final warm-up before competitive fixtures resume.

Preseason progress and Como friendly

The win against Como marked Juventus Women’s latest test in a summer that has seen significant turnover in both personnel and playing style. Carbonell described the team’s adjustment as a work in progress, but praised the group’s mentality. “We started with many changes. The way we play, the ball management and the whole game has changed,” she said. “But I think we have the squad to interpret this style and the right mentality. We have confidence in this way of playing and I believe this change has given us enthusiasm, a bit of joy, and the desire to see how far we can go.”

The friendly was played behind closed doors, but the result and performance have added to the positive mood inside the squad. Carbonell noted that training sessions have shown clear improvement, and she expects the team to look “very different” in the near future.

Tactical evolution under Guerrero

Carbonell emphasised that the team’s new identity is built on possession and positional freedom. “The coach wants us to play the ball a lot. Our objective is to attract the opponent, move them, and find spaces, both in our half and theirs,” she explained. “That’s how it becomes easier to attack.”

The defender, who has been a regular starter for Juventus, said she enjoys the freedom given to full-backs under Guerrero. “He doesn’t fill you with specific requests. He gives you the freedom to interpret the game. I used to play this way in Spain, so I feel liberated.”

This tactical shift comes after a 2025-26 season in which Juventus finished second in Serie A Femminile, behind Roma. The club is aiming to reclaim the domestic title and make a deeper run in the Champions League after being eliminated in the group stage last season.

Champions League readiness

With the Women’s Champions League preliminary round scheduled to begin in August, Carbonell said the team is ready. “Yes, we are ready. It’s normal that there have been many changes, but as I said, we have the right mentality. Many new players have arrived with a lot of desire to play and learn new things. I think we are also a beautiful group of people, and that will help us do great things.”

Juventus Women will enter the Champions League at the qualifying stage, needing to negotiate two rounds to reach the group stage. The club’s last group-stage appearance was in 2024-25, when they failed to advance. The 2026-27 qualification draw is expected in the coming weeks.

National team ambitions

When asked about her hopes of returning to the Spanish women’s national team, Carbonell was measured but clear. “For me, the priority, as I say every year, is my club. I train every day here and this is the club that gave me trust. I play to improve, to help the team, and to grow together with my teammates. Then, if the opportunity for the national team comes, it would be beautiful. There is a World Cup, and of course, it’s a dream.”

The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be hosted by Brazil, and Spain are the reigning champions after winning the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Carbonell has not been capped since 2024, but her consistent performances for Juventus could earn her a recall.

Key facts

Why this matters for FootballGames10 readers

This interview provides a direct insight into the state of a major European women’s club ahead of a crucial season. The tactical changes under Guerrero, the integration of new signings, and the Champions League ambitions are all relevant for followers of women’s football, Serie A Femminile, and the European club scene. Carbonell’s comments also touch on the ongoing strength of Spanish talent in the women’s game, with Juventus now fielding several Spanish players.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb – https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/calcio-femminile/juventus-w-carbonell-la-priorita-club-tornare-nazionale-bellissimo-2257382