DFB.de: What’s the mood like in the FFC camp ahead of the game?
Bell: It’s clear to see what being in the Champions League final for the sixth time means to the entire club. 1. FFC Frankfurt has a long and successful record in this competition however, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain this achievement. Everyone at FFC, from the sporting director to the manger of the U13s, are simply incredibly proud that the club has once again made it through to the final.
DFB.de: How are you feeling ahead of the match? Already feeling nervous?
Bell: I’m actually full of anticipation and excitement. I’ve watched the Champions League on final the past few years but now my team is involved. There’s no place for negative emotions like tension and pressure.
DFB.de: What are your expectations for the game against Paris?
Bell: I’m expecting a close game between two of the top teams in Europe, who won’t give the opposition any time or space. It’s likely to be decided by the small details in which case the team will need to be fully focused for 90 minutes and potentially longer. I’m also reckoning on there being a fantastic atmosphere in the sold-out stadium in Berlin.
DFB.de: How do you rate your opponents?
Bell: Paris Saint-Germain are a very combative, aggressive side, who have some quick players. They dominated in every department in the semi-final first leg against Wolfsburg – it was already very impressive. We need to be alert going into 50-50s and have to try to take control of midfield.
1. FFC Frankfurt are currently experiencing a real mix of emotions: disappointment on the last matchday of the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga, but anticipation and excitement for the Champions League final on Thursday. Following a 1-1 draw with VfL Wolfsburg, Colin Bell’s side missed out on not only winning the title but also direct qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Frankfurt have the opportunity to end the season on a high in the Champions League final in Berlin on Thursday (18:00 CEST). DFB.de caught up with the FFC manager to talk about the match against Paris Saint-Germain. The 53-year-old also reflected on a dramatic end-of-season run-in in the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga.
DFB.de: Mr Bell, before we look ahead to the massive Champions League final, let’s reflect on last weekend’s 1-1 draw with VfL Wolfsburg. Are you proud of your team’s positive string of results in the end-of-season run-in or disappointed to finish in third?
Colin Bell: As a professional sportsman or woman, you experience real highs but can also lose. We can conclude today that two teams were a bit better than us. Congratulations to FC Bayern on being crowned champions and to VfL Wolfsburg on finishing in second and securing direct qualification for the Champions League. We would have liked to have been in one of the top two slots but we have to acknowledge that we unfortunately didn’t do enough.
DFB.de: Why not?
Bell: Shortly before Christmas, we were practically out of it. We were seven points adrift of the top. It was a sensational performance from my team over the past few weeks to put us in a position where we were still in with a chance of winning the title on the last matchday. The development the side showed in closing the gap to the top teams makes me happy and optimistic. However, I’m only really satisfied when I’m lifting a trophy. We didn’t manage that in either the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga or the DFB Cup.
DFB.de: So it was lost in the first half of the season?
Bell: Yes, quite clearly. We had to go through a learning phase. It lasted until we managed to find our feet. Despite all the quality in our squad, we can’t forget that we’re short on numbers. We have 15 very good Bundesliga players under contract. Absences really affected us.
DFB.de: Are you feeling downcast from the weekend?
Bell: Yes, a bit. It was a very intense clash with Wolfsburg. We were the better side in the first half and the closing stages. If we had snatched victory, it wouldn’t have been undeserved. Due to an individual mistake, we didn’t get the reward we deserved. That’s football. We’re disappointed but there’s still a real season highlight for us on Thursday…
DFB.de: ... the Champions League final. Where does this possible title rank for you as a manager?
Bell: The Champions League final is the biggest event that you can be involved in at club level in women’s football. How often do you find yourself in a European final? It’s one of the top titles.
DFB.de: Would it also be the biggest achievement in your career?
Bell: Yes, by all means. I was never in such a final as a player or a manager. Therefore, it’s also the highlight of my career to date.
DFB.de: Frankfurt could still qualify for the Champions League but as reigning champions.
Bell: That’s obviously now our aim. First and foremost though, it’s about winning the title, which we absolutely want to achieve. We need a very, very good day – we need to put in an outstanding performance just like against Wolfsburg.
DFB.de: What’s the mood like in the FFC camp ahead of the game?
Bell: It’s clear to see what being in the Champions League final for the sixth time means to the entire club. 1. FFC Frankfurt has a long and successful record in this competition however, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain this achievement. Everyone at FFC, from the sporting director to the manger of the U13s, are simply incredibly proud that the club has once again made it through to the final.
DFB.de: How are you feeling ahead of the match? Already feeling nervous?
Bell: I’m actually full of anticipation and excitement. I’ve watched the Champions League on final the past few years but now my team is involved. There’s no place for negative emotions like tension and pressure.
DFB.de: What are your expectations for the game against Paris?
Bell: I’m expecting a close game between two of the top teams in Europe, who won’t give the opposition any time or space. It’s likely to be decided by the small details in which case the team will need to be fully focused for 90 minutes and potentially longer. I’m also reckoning on there being a fantastic atmosphere in the sold-out stadium in Berlin.
DFB.de: How do you rate your opponents?
Bell: Paris Saint-Germain are a very combative, aggressive side, who have some quick players. They dominated in every department in the semi-final first leg against Wolfsburg – it was already very impressive. We need to be alert going into 50-50s and have to try to take control of midfield.
DFB.de: Have you analysed PSG’s semi-final victory over Wolfsburg?
Bell: Analysing the opponents is an indispensable part of our preparation regardless of whether we’re playing against Herford or Paris. We have obviously analysed both matches and I was at the second leg game, in order to build up a picture of our opponents.
DFB.de: There are a couple of German players in the ranks at PSG, including Lira Alushi, who was previously at Frankfurt. Does that add any extra significance or meaning to the meeting?
Bell: The fact that there are some former FFC players in the PSG squad isn’t significant for me. I enjoyed working with Lira and if it were up to me, she’d still be here playing for us. She decided though that she wanted a new decision and that’s absolutely fine.
DFB.de: Progressing through to the final seemed like a walk in the park for your side. You swept Bröndby aside 13-0 on aggregate and before that triumphed 12-0 over Bristol in the quarterfinal. Were FFC so strong or were the opposition rather poor?
Bell: We prepared in a professional manner for each opponent and didn’t win by such a margin by chance. I don’t think that the opponents were poor though. Bröndby IF knocked Linköpings, a top team in Sweden, who could in turn beat Rosengard twice in the league, out in the quarterfinals. We don’t need to apologise to anyone for the draw or our performances.
DFB.de: There has been a German club in the final each of the past seven years and on five of these occasions they triumphed. Does this show the dominance of German women’s football in Europe?
Bell: German women’s football is rightly amongst the best both in Europe and internationally. There’s no guarantee that they’ll remain there in the future though: PSG and Olympique Lyonnaise, the top clubs in France, will continue to challenge for the Champions League title in the future and some sides in England are currently making great improvements. Sweden was already always competitive – you think about Umea, Malmö, recently Tyresö - and they will continue to produce talents.
DFB.de: Shortly after the final, many of your players will start their preparation for the World Cup in Canada. What are your predictions for the tournament? What could Germany achieve?
Bell: There is no question in my mind that Germany has the potential to lift the title. The main competitors will be France and the USA.
