Laudehr: "Consistency is what will count most"

It is a busy time for Simone Laudehr, as she moves from event to event. Tonight at 18:00 CET she is set to participate in FC Bayern’s first leg Womens‘ Champions League match against FK Rossijanka of Russia, and next up there will be a meeting with her former side 1. FFC Frankfurt on Sunday (13:00 CET). The 30-year old spoke to DFB.de about the upcoming game and began looking ahead to the next summer’s European Championships in the Netherlands.

DFB.de: Ms. Laudehr, you returned to Munich in the summer. Does it feel like a return to you?

Simone Laudehr: I have been away for 10 years. A lot has happened and a lot has changed since I left. No one was the team I left is still here now, and even among the senior staff I do not know anyone. For me, the feeling of returning is tied to being back in my hometown. I have many family and friends and it is very nice to be back around that.

DFB.de: How did you find the first few weeks?

Laudehr: Unfortunately, I was injured when I arrived here, so I could not train with the team. Nevertheless, I got to meet and know my new team mates a bit and build my relationships with them. The spirit in the team is already excellent, and that is definitely not the case everywhere you go. It was not quite being thrown into a sea of unfamiliar faces – I know quite a few of the side from our years playing together in the national team.

DFB.de: On Tuesday evening the draw for the Euro 2017 group stages was made. What are you expecting from your opponents?

Laudehr: There are no easy groups. Sweden are certainly a strong side and are among the favourites to win the competition. Italy and Russia are also very difficult teams to play against. They play with a lot of aggression; they fight hard and make things very unpleasant. Russia are also very good technical side too. None of our opposition will give us easy games but we will make do. We must not underestimate anyone. But the Euros are a while away now. At the moment we are focused on the Champions League and the Bundesliga.

DFB.de: Why was Bayern’s start to the new season so complicated?

Laudehr: Many players arrived back from the Olympics and restarted the season practically without a break. It was clear that not everyone was in a completely ready and prepared state. With that background, though, we can be pleased with the current situation we are in. We have got ourselves on course to get back to the top of the table.

DFB.de: After a time out injured you are ready to make your way back to the pitch. Are you feeling 100%?

Laudehr: No, still not quite there yet. Match practice is a big part of getting back to a top level and I cannot really do that in training of course. I still feel a few percent short, but with my experience I can make up for the deficit well as we go forward.

DFB.de: You are back in form just in time for tonight’s Champions League match against FK Rossijanka.

Laudehr: It is the beginning of an important few weeks for us. We have a really busy schedule up until Christmas, so we cannot afford to slack off. We want to qualify for the next round of the Champions League. I have no doubt that we can do it if we play to our full potential.

DFB.de: Are you familiar with your opponent?

Laudehr: Not especially. But our manager Thomas Wörle has prepared us well, of course. I am still eager to find out what they are like. To be honest, I do not know if I have ever played against a Russian club in my career. I do not think I have, so I am looking forward to the game.

DFB.de:What are you expecting from Rossijanka?

Laudehr: Russian teams are difficult to play against. We have to stay fully focused on our task. We need to dominate the match in order to qualify for the quarter-final.

DFB.de FC Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the first round last year mainly because of the lack of experience in the squad. Will you make up for it this year?

Laudehr: That is what I want to do. We have quite a young team, I felt a bit like a Grandma for the first few days! But that is okay. I like to take on responsibility in the team. That is not a new role for me.

DFB.de: Your former club Frankfurt are up next for FC Bayern on Sunday. That must be a special game for you.

Laudehr: Obviously there are no other games like that for me. I had some wonderful, successful years with FFC Frankfurt, and made a lot of friends with whom I am still in touch. I owe the club a lot. I am looking forward to the game on Sunday and to seeing old friends, but ultimately it is just another game for three points.

DFB.de: How does it feel to be chased in the title race?

Laudehr: I do not see us in that role. We are chasing Potsdam, Freiburg and Wolfsburg at the moment. We are about a third of the way through the season now, and everything is still to play for. I am expecting the rest of the year to be exciting, too.

DFB.de: It is noticeable that every team has lost at least once already. That has not always been the case.

Laudehr: The perfect season is not possible anymore – those days are over. The quality in the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga has grown too much, which speaks volumes for the development of women’s football in Germany. The title race could be a really tight one this season. Wolfsburg, Potsdam, maybe Freiburg, and of course us - I think we are all good enough to win it. At the end of the day, consistency is what will count most.