DFB.de: What type of challenges do you expect?
Bartusiak: I rate Croatia’s team as stronger than Turkey’s. They will be more robust and give us less time on the ball. We have to be prepared for that and use our chances efficiently. We created a lot of chances against Turkey, but could’ve scored more goals even. Overall we want to follow up the Turkey performance and approach the game with the same attitude.
DFB.de: You are playing at home. What will the atmosphere be like in Osnabrück?
Bartusiak: I’m really looking forward to playing at home again and I’m happy that many tickets have already been sold. We’ve always had great support and a great atmosphere here in Osnabrück. We are really looking forward to it and hope to provide the fans with a good performance. It’s always something special to play in front of such a big crowd and such a great atmosphere. It gives us confidence out on the pitch.
DFB.de: And your aim for this game is clear?
Bartusiak: Yes, very clear! We want to collect our next three points and produce a solid performance which leaves no doubt that we will leave the pitch victorious.
The German Women’s national team awaits their second European Championships qualifying encounter within one week. After securing a 6-0 triumph against Turkey, Silvia Neid’s team will face Croatia on Tuesday in Osnabrück.
DFB.de editor Paula Widmer spoke to the DFB Team captain Saskia Bartusiak on the atmosphere in the team, their upcoming games and the anticipation prior to their home match.
DFB.de: Ms. Bartusiak, the team has been together exactly one week now. What is the atmosphere in the team like?
Bartusiak: The team looks in very good shape. Everyone is very focussed, but a fun-factor is always present as well, with a good atmosphere in the team. I think we produced a solid performance against Turkey. We had a lot of possession and had to invest a lot, because Turkey sat quite deep. Our attitude going into the match was very good and we tried to produce a good performance throughout the entire 90 minutes. And that’s what we did.
DFB.de: Immediately after the game against Turkey you flew back home to Germany. What is on the schedule until the game on Tuesday?
Bartusiak: Those of us that played, had a regenerative session yesterday. We went on a bike ride and had treatment afterwards. Those that didn’t play or only had a short appearance, had a normal training session on the pitch. The afternoon was given off to everyone. Today we are all back in normal training and will begin preparing for our next opponent.
DFB.de: What do you expect from the game with Croatia?
Bartusiak: We still remember the return fixture in Croatia. We struggled for long spells of the match and recorded a narrow 1-0 victory. We didn’t play a good game at all and thus want to show a different side of us on Tuesday.
DFB.de: What type of challenges do you expect?
Bartusiak: I rate Croatia’s team as stronger than Turkey’s. They will be more robust and give us less time on the ball. We have to be prepared for that and use our chances efficiently. We created a lot of chances against Turkey, but could’ve scored more goals even. Overall we want to follow up the Turkey performance and approach the game with the same attitude.
DFB.de: You are playing at home. What will the atmosphere be like in Osnabrück?
Bartusiak: I’m really looking forward to playing at home again and I’m happy that many tickets have already been sold. We’ve always had great support and a great atmosphere here in Osnabrück. We are really looking forward to it and hope to provide the fans with a good performance. It’s always something special to play in front of such a big crowd and such a great atmosphere. It gives us confidence out on the pitch.
DFB.de: And your aim for this game is clear?
Bartusiak: Yes, very clear! We want to collect our next three points and produce a solid performance which leaves no doubt that we will leave the pitch victorious.
