LUANA BUHLER has no qualms about overcoming big obstacles in football – having battled back from two serious knee injuries in her teens.
Today the versatile Switzerland defender, 28, wants Tottenham to pull off the big challenge of dispatching Arsenal in their WSL derby duel.
3
3
It was at the age of 15 playing with Swiss boys team FC Schotz, and then at 19 in for women’s side FC Zurich, that Buhler suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures.
For Buhler, who began her senior playing career at FC Zürich in 2016, having the support of family and friends and the determination to come back stronger to fulfil her football dream was key.
The 54-capped Switzerland, who spent five years at German side Hoffenheim before her 2023 Tottenham move said: “The first injury was (sustained whilst playing) with a boys’ team.
“It was at an age where you grow a lot as a girl but maybe don’t have the support yet that was needed back then.
Read More Football Stories
“At that time, the support with athletic coaches, even strength training, wasn’t even a topic yet, so I think that was something that was also caused a little bit by the circumstances.
“With my second one (ACL injury) I was quite lucky with the medical staff and everything around being developed much better.
“I was in a women’s environment already (at FC Zurich) and there I had more professional help during my rehab
“That also helped me to come back in a better state and quite strong.
“When you have an injury that big, all you just want to do is come back and play again.
“I was quite young when those injuries came.
“It was probably one of the toughest times during my career. It challenged me emotionally and physically.
“But these were also the times where I would learn the most about being patient and showing resilience.”
Resilience is something that Buhler and her Tottenham team-mates have had to rely on at times this season since losing their last derby clash with Arsenal.
Following that 3-0 home loss last November her side, who are sixth in the WSL, have won five and drawn one of their last nine games across all competitions.
Buhler sees this term as one of ups and downs for Robert Vilhamn’s aces who are yet to beat the Gunners away in the top tier.
But the defender is confident Tottenham can give Arsenal a run for their money at the Emirates this afternoon, having beaten them for the first time in a top-flight duel in December 2023.
She adds: “We could see when we won our first (WSL) game against Arsenal, that the gap is, in my opinion, closing (in these games).
“There’s no easy game anymore because every team is getting closer to each other.
“We want to challenge them as much as we can.”
Today’s 12:30pm clash could see Buhler, who was born in Lucerne, central Switzerland, battle her national team-mate Lia Walti.
Like Buhler, the tenacious midfielder played in Germany’s top-flight for Turbine Potsdam before making a move to the WSL and joining Arsenal in 2018.
Since then Walti has won three trophies with the Gunners, who are third in the league including a WSL title back in 2019.
Buhler said: “Lia is a really great player and also a leader for us in the national team.
“As a team we are really lucky to have her. On the other hand she’s a tough player to play against.
“There are so many good individual players at Arsenal who will challenge us as a team.
“I’m really looking forward to it because it’s the greatest thing to go against the best players in Europe.”
Prior to joining Tottenham Buhler, who is studying for a masters degree in business, has experienced playing in the Champions League with her former clubs FC Zurich and Hoffenheim.
And long with Walti the Tottenham ace is looking forward to making history with her national team, when Switzerland hosts the Women’s Euros for the first time this year.
Her side, currently ranked as the 23rd best side in the world, will take on Norway in their group stage opener on July 2 in Basel.
And Buhler hopes the tournament will lead to greater support for girls’ grassroots teams in her country and improving the infrastructure of the women’s game there.
The Switzerland international said: “We’re still a little bit behind in the whole development of infrastructure and grassroots teams.
“I hope this can give a real boost to women’s football and sports in general for girls and women in Switzerland.
“There are not enough opportunities for girls in comparison to the boys. “There is, on basic levels, infrastructure missing and even teams are missing.
3
“I know from girls in my hometown that they still struggle to find a (football) team with whom they can participate.
“That’s one of the first things we need to change, to have those infrastructures for all the boys and girls at the same level.
“I would like to see more visibility of women’s football in general.”