This weekend, after a break of almost three months, the action resumes in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga. On Saturday at 1pm CEST, FC Bayern Women entertain third-placed TSG Hoffenheim, who are just one point behind FCB. Ahead of the crucial clash, the FCB players and coaches gave their opinions on the restart from their quarantine training camp.
Jens Scheuer, FC Bayern Women head coach: "We’re looking forward to the Bundesliga restart this weekend and we’re very well prepared. Of course, preparation through the quarantine week was a bit different than normal, but we’ve accepted the situation very well as a team in recent days and weeks and coped with it together. Since the resumption of team training at the beginning of last week, some of the players have suffered a few minor injuries, and one or two players are doubtful for Saturday. So we don't have everyone at our disposal, but our squad is very strong and deep, so we're definitely ready for Saturday. The next match is always the most important - that's why our only focus at the moment is the game against Hoffenheim. But after that, there are five more games, each just as important as the next, and they’re games that we all want to win. If we beat Hoffenheim at home on Saturday, we'll take an important step forward."
"I'm counting down the days until the game"
Amanda Ilestedt, defender: "The training sessions over the last few days were really good! You can feel that everyone is getting back into competition mode. We've waited so long for this and everyone is happy that we can play football again. I was very happy when the decision to play matches again was finally made and we had clarity. And we're starting right now with such an important top match against Hoffenheim: it doesn't get any better than that! These games always have a special appeal. I'm very excited and really counting down the days until the game. I expect a very good game from both teams, because the match is very important for both sides. As for us, I have a very good feeling. We’ve given it our all and done everything we could to be prepared for Saturday. We're feeling good!"
Jovana Damnjanovic, striker: "The most important thing is that we are and remain healthy and injury-free, so we have as full a squad as possible for the next six games. That will be an important factor in the competition after such a long break and given the situation. The quarantine week is going very well for us. I thought beforehand it could be very boring – but on the contrary, we’re using the time well and making progress as a team overall. After such a long interruption, the time spent together is actually doing us a lot of good. We're definitely ready for Saturday and are happy that it’s finally starting again. We’re aware of the importance of the game against Hoffenheim. We expect a tough game against a very good team. Hoffenheim really have tremendous quality in transitions and they’ve showed how strong they are in the first part of this season. But we're Bayern, we're aiming high and want to win the game convincingly.”
"The level of training is very high"
Kristin Demann, defender: "The level in training is very high and everyone is really looking forward to the upcoming games! The situation is new for all the teams at the moment. Nobody knows exactly where they stand, because they couldn't play any friendlies. For us, the sense of anticipation is definitely the main emotion and I think we're ready for the top game this weekend. It will be very intense. Both teams know what’s at stake. But for us, nothing matters other than winning. That's why we won't leave any doubt as to who's going to leave the pitch as winners at our home ground. We're fired up for the game!"
Laura Benkarth, goalkeeper: "The quarantine week is going very well and it has just welded us together again as a team. Since we train on campus, it feels very much like an almost normal preparation. We feel good and are very much looking forward to finally starting up again. We’re well prepared for the game against Hoffenheim. It won't be easy, everyone knows TSG are having a great season and are a strong unit. They get forward at pace, have a good passing game and are calm on the ball. We have to show them right from the start that we're at home and that Hoffenheim aren't going to get anything from us here.”
Check out the preview for the Hoffenheim game 👇
Topics of this article