She’s back. After nearly five years playing abroad, Anja Mittag is once again playing in the Bundesliga. The former legionnaire moves to the Women’s Bundesliga as an Olympic gold medallist. Shortly after the Olympic triumph in Rio, the 31-year-old announced her switch to VfL Wolfsburg.
In the last couple of days, the striker has been with the DFB national team in Russia and Hungary, as they secured qualification for the European Championships next year. On Sunday, Mittag will play in the Bundesliga heavyweight clash against reigning champions FC Bayern München. Both teams have started the season with a win and a draw.
In an interview with DFB, Mittag talks about her experiences in France and Sweden. She also explains why she was desperate to return to Germany and why she eventually decided on moving to VfL Wolfsburg. But above all, she has one eye on the crunch encounter between the DFB Cup champions and the league champions.
DFB: Ms Mittag, it’s been a few weeks now since you signed your contract with VfL Wolfsburg. How has your time been there so far?
Anja Mittag: I have been received very well here, but that hasn’t come as a surprise. The conversations I had with the senior figures at the club, in advance of my move, were all nice and friendly. I already know lots of my new team-mates from my time in the national side. It makes settling in a lot easier. Everything has all been really positive so far.
DFB: You have recently spent ten days away with the national team, in Russia and in Hungary. Next up for you and your club side is an encounter with FC Bayern München. What are you expecting from the game?
Mittag: I assume it will be a tight between two evenly matched sides. I have only been able to watch from afar, but women’s football in Munich has seen quite a progression. It’s no coincidence that they have been German league champions twice in a row. But we as a VfL Wolfsburg side want to reach the top and win titles. A win against FC Bayern would definitely be step in the right direction to achieving that.
She’s back. After nearly five years playing abroad, Anja Mittag is once again playing in the Bundesliga. The former legionnaire moves to the Women’s Bundesliga as an Olympic gold medallist. Shortly after the Olympic triumph in Rio, the 31-year-old announced her switch to VfL Wolfsburg.
In the last couple of days, the striker has been with the DFB national team in Russia and Hungary, as they secured qualification for the European Championships next year. On Sunday, Mittag will play in the Bundesliga heavyweight clash against reigning champions FC Bayern München. Both teams have started the season with a win and a draw.
In an interview with DFB, Mittag talks about her experiences in France and Sweden. She also explains why she was desperate to return to Germany and why she eventually decided on moving to VfL Wolfsburg. But above all, she has one eye on the crunch encounter between the DFB Cup champions and the league champions.
DFB: Ms Mittag, it’s been a few weeks now since you signed your contract with VfL Wolfsburg. How has your time been there so far?
Anja Mittag: I have been received very well here, but that hasn’t come as a surprise. The conversations I had with the senior figures at the club, in advance of my move, were all nice and friendly. I already know lots of my new team-mates from my time in the national side. It makes settling in a lot easier. Everything has all been really positive so far.
DFB: You have recently spent ten days away with the national team, in Russia and in Hungary. Next up for you and your club side is an encounter with FC Bayern München. What are you expecting from the game?
Mittag: I assume it will be a tight between two evenly matched sides. I have only been able to watch from afar, but women’s football in Munich has seen quite a progression. It’s no coincidence that they have been German league champions twice in a row. But we as a VfL Wolfsburg side want to reach the top and win titles. A win against FC Bayern would definitely be step in the right direction to achieving that.
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DFB.de: Is that already a decisive game?
Mittag: Of course the winner can establish themselves at the higher end of the table, but nothing more. I can’t imagine that the league would be decided on the third matchday as the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga is too competitive - there’s no such thing as an easy game.
DFB.de: You experienced this in the 0-0 draw on the opening matchday against SC Sand.
Mittag: Munich also dropped two points in their 1-1 draw with Freiburg, but it’s not new that the supposedly smaller clubs are catching up – even last year that was the case.
DFB.de: You were abroad for almost five years, how much did you follow the women’s football in Germany in this time?
Mittag: I watched it as much as I could. I was in Sweden and France but thanks to the internet it was easier to follow it.
DFB.de: What are your impressions after returning?
Mittag: The quality in Women’s Bundesliga has increased. For me, it’s the strongest league in Europe, perhaps even in the world. There are also some foreign players at the clubs who increase the quality even more - I’m very happy to be part of it again.
DFB.de: Did you think about continuing abroad in the summer?
Mittag: No, for me it was clear that it was time to return to Germany. I'm thankful that I was able to play in Sweden and France as it helped me develop personally. At Paris St. Germain it wasn’t always easy but this tough experience was also important to have. However, it’s a closed chapter now and I'm only looking forward. I think we can look forward to a really exciting season in the Women’s Bundesliga.
