Defending champions 1. FFC Frankfurt still have some work to do to ensure that an all-German semi-final becomes a reality in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Coach Matt Ross expects a difficult task against Swedish champions FC Rosengard and Brazilian superstar Marta in the second leg of their quarter-final tie following a 1-0 win for the Germans last week. “We will not make the mistake of focusing entirely on defending to protect this lead,” said the Australian.
VfL Wolfsburg will be able to enjoy their trip to Italian side ACF Brescia following their 3-0 home win in the first leg. Germany international Lena Goeßling looked forward to the second leg today in Italy by saying, “we want no surprises there.” Both German teams go into this match with confidence following league wins on Sunday. Frankfurt beat promoted side Werder Bremen 3-0, whilst DFB Cup winners Wolfsburg won 4-2 at SC Sand.
Frankfurt without playmaker Marozsan
Whilst DFB treasurer Reinhard Grindel, Germany women’s coach Silvia Neid, her assistant and successor Steffi Jones as well as team manager Doris Fitschen will all be in attendance at the Stadion am Brentanobad in Frankfurt, Dzsenifer Marozsan will be missing on the pitch. She scored the penalty in the first leg to give Frankfurt their lead, but she is suspended for this second leg.
It’s a big loss but it should provide motivation for the four-time European Cup winners. “We all want Dzseni to be able to play a few more games in the Champions League for us – that is reason enough to fight,” said Ross, who will also be without Switzerland international Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic because of a head injury.
Frankfurt’s Germany international Kathrin Hendrich is expecting the opposition to set up to attack, but she is optimistic: “We are starting in a very good position and want to use this advantage we have.” Five-time FIFA World Player of the Year Marta had to decline taking part in a press conference on Tuesday because she was getting a cold. Her teammates on the other hand took their minds of things with a game of mini golf.
Mittag looking for semi-finals with PSG
Should both German teams progress, two-time Champions League winners Wolfsburg will have home advantage in the first leg (23rd/24th April), with the return fixture taking place a week later in Frankfurt. With FFC currently lying one point behind VfL in third, qualification for the Champions League next season is not a certainty. The final will take place on 26th May in Reggio Emilia, Italy, two days before the men’s final in Milan.
Anja Mittag will also be looking to book her ticket to the final with French club Paris Saint-Germain. Last year’s losing finalists possess in the form of the Germany international striker the record goal scorer in the European Cup (49 goals) and drew their first leg 0-0 at Barcelona. There is also the possibility of a an all-French semi-final as Olympique Lyon are virtually through following their 9-1 win over Slavia Prague in their first leg.