DFB.de: Is it an advantage for PSG that the first game will be in Lyon, Ms. Mittag?
Mittag: It’s difficult to predict. I tend to think that it doesn’t make a difference. Like I said, we need two perfect days in order to progress.
DFB.de: Ms. Bremer, what is the stronger emotion leading up to this game: anticipation or respect?
Bremer: We have respect, but the anticipation is clearly stronger. The decisive phase of the season begins now. Everything is at stake. These are the encounters you work towards for the entire season. We have to prevail and show everyone that we are a good team.
DFB.de: Ms. Mittag, you’ve been in Paris now for almost a year now. How have you experienced life in France?
Mittag: It’s been a very exciting time so far. I live in a great city. There is always something going on here.
DFB.de: Ms. Bremer, how is life in Lyon treating you?
Bremer: Unfortunately I had a difficult start here because I was out injured for a while. It wasn’t always easy to be away from the team, but that’s how football goes sometimes. It’s part of the job. Now I’m back to full fitness and I’m very happy. I’ve continued my development in every aspect. The level in our training sessions is very high and there is still a lot for me to learn.
Olympique Lyon vs. Paris St. Germain – the first leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-final between the two French sides kicks off this afternoon (15:00 CET). It is also an encounter between two Germany internationals. Pauline Bremer joined Lyon at the start of the season, while Anja Mittag is under contract at PSG.
DFB.de interviewed Bremer and Mittag ahead of their opening clash. The pair spoke about the special meaning of this match and how they’ve experienced life in France so far.
DFB.de: Ms. Bremer, Ms. Mittag, what is the situation like going into this French semi-final in the Champions League?
Anja Mittag: We obviously need two perfect days in order to prevail against Lyon. They’re not one of the best women’s teams in the world by accident. We are the underdogs, but that certainly doesn’t mean we don’t have a chance.
Pauline Bremer: I also think we are the favourites going into the game. We’re allowed to be that confident. But we also know that it will be a difficult task. Paris are very dangerous opponents and deserve to be in the Champions League semi-finals.
DFB.de: You recently played out a 0-0 draw in the league and several weeks ago Lyon cruised to a 5-0 victory. Which of these two results matches the current form?
Mittag: The 5-0 defeat was obviously a very bitter result for us. It was one of the first games of the season. Looking back on it now, I can say that we had no hope then as a completely newly formed team. We hadn’t developed any chemistry and simply weren’t a team yet. It was clear that that process would require time. We showed what we are capable off in the return fixture the other day.
Bremer: The PSG team from our first encounter is a very different one from who we will face in the Champions League. I completely agree with Anja. I expect two very close games. Small details will possibly make the difference in the end. But we all have the dream of reaching the final.
DFB.de: Is it an advantage for PSG that the first game will be in Lyon, Ms. Mittag?
Mittag: It’s difficult to predict. I tend to think that it doesn’t make a difference. Like I said, we need two perfect days in order to progress.
DFB.de: Ms. Bremer, what is the stronger emotion leading up to this game: anticipation or respect?
Bremer: We have respect, but the anticipation is clearly stronger. The decisive phase of the season begins now. Everything is at stake. These are the encounters you work towards for the entire season. We have to prevail and show everyone that we are a good team.
DFB.de: Ms. Mittag, you’ve been in Paris now for almost a year now. How have you experienced life in France?
Mittag: It’s been a very exciting time so far. I live in a great city. There is always something going on here.
DFB.de: Ms. Bremer, how is life in Lyon treating you?
Bremer: Unfortunately I had a difficult start here because I was out injured for a while. It wasn’t always easy to be away from the team, but that’s how football goes sometimes. It’s part of the job. Now I’m back to full fitness and I’m very happy. I’ve continued my development in every aspect. The level in our training sessions is very high and there is still a lot for me to learn.
DFB.de: Is that why you decided to extend your contract until 2018?
Bremer: Yes, of course. I’m completely convinced that that was the right move. At the same time, I’m very thankful for the trust shown to me by the club.
DFB.de: Where is French football compared to German football?
Bremer: It’s noticeable that there is more focus on the technical aspect of the game here. Most players are very skilled on the ball, which was a transition for me at first.
Mittag: But you also notice a pretty severe drop in the performance level throughout the French league. There are two top teams in the form of Lyon and Paris. Montpellier and Juvisy are in pursuit, but after them it’s a big gap to the next team. There are barely any surprises here, which isn’t good for women’s football in France. Germany is simply a few steps ahead in that regard. The level of play on the whole is much higher in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga. But having said that, I’m certain that Paris and Lyon can compete for the title against German teams.
