Baunach: "We can still make history"

Despite being unbeaten after 19 games in the Allianz Women's Bundesliga, FC Bayern München’s hopes of winning the German championship are out of their hands, as they need VfL Wolfsburg to drop points. However, two-time Germany international Katharina Baunach has not given up on the title just yet.

"We want to focus on ourselves and win the remaining three games," says the 26 year-old FCB defender in a DFB.de interview. "Then we can see what happens." A victory against FF USV Jena on Sunday (12:00 CEST) is therefore an absolute must.

DFB.de: Miss Baunach, the Allianz Women's Bundesliga has reached its crucial phase. You and FC Bayern are right in the thick of the title battle. What is your take on the situation?

Baunach: We still have three games left to play – three cup finals. We can’t afford any more slip ups now. We want to focus on ourselves and then see what happens is in the end. We can only win the championship if VfL Wolfsburg drop points.

DFB.de: Potentially on the final matchday when they play 1. FFC Frankfurt on the road?

Baunach: I've given up on looking at what our competition does. There is no use for it. It's one of the things I learned from the 2008/09 season, when we finished second behind Turbine Potsdam, having scored just one goal fewer than them. We will do everything we can in order to win these three games. Anything else is beyond our control.

DFB.de: Your remaining schedule is not the toughest. You next host FF USV Jena on Sunday...

Baunach: ... and that's a difficult task right away. We will run into many problems if we underestimate Jena. They are traditionally an uncomfortable opponent.

DFB.de: After that you hit the road to play an already relegated side Herford, before hosting Essen in the final game of the season.

Baunach: It's true that we don't face any direct competition for the rest of this season. We've already played our direct title rivals, but that doesn’t mean that our job will get any easier.

DFB.de: FC Bayern is the only team yet to lose a game this season. What has been your main strength this season?

Baunach: We have a fantastic team spirit that we live off. We also have very high individual quality. It's a perfect mix between young and experienced players and with Thomas Wörle we have a great coach, who prepares us well for each opponent. Things are just working out for us at the moment.

DFB.de: Was it to be expected prior to the start of the season?

Baunach: Not at all. We had a big change in our squad during the summer. Ten players left, nine new faces came in. We didn’t know where we would stand and how the season would turn out for us. Now we can say that we've regained our quality. Everything is just clicking at the moment. Most of all, we have become very consistent and there have been no more extreme down swings. We have a strong bench and the players that are brought into a game, contribute and have a great impact. That wasn’t always the case and is certainly a key reason why things are going so well right now. It's also the reason why we were able to compensate for the many injuries so well.

DFB.de: You missed a lot of the action in the first half of the season due to injury. How are you doing today?

Baunach: I'm fit again. I recovered from two broken ribs and several muscular issues. I fought hard, but now I'm fully back again.

DFB.de: You've been with FC Bayern since 2006. How have you experienced the club's development?

Baunach: What happened here in the past few years is amazing. Everything has become very professional. Football itself has changed as well: The game has become a lot more physical and the players are more athletic. Tactics are also becoming far more important. I'm very proud and happy to have been able to witness and be part of this development.

DFB.de: You recently returned to the national team, making the squad for the Brazil game. How did you view the 4-0 victory?

Baunach: Despite not making an appearance, it was still a great experience. I was already on my Easter holiday with my parents when coach Thomas Wörle called me and told me that I had been called up. It was great to be back again and an experience that I will always remember.

DFB.de: So far, your only two appearances for Germany were six years ago. Are you hoping that you can add a few more matches to that tally?

Baunach: I don't worry about that at all. The only important thing is that I stay fit and continue to do well at my club. Without good training performances and good displays in games with your club, you're not going to get called up to the national team. Of course it would be a dream to get more caps. But I don't want to put myself under the pressure. The next few days are all about the showdown in the Allianz Women's Bundesliga anyway. We can still make history.