DFB.de: England placed third in the 2015 Canada World Cup, and you were there too. What’s special about this team?
Däbritz: I do indeed know England personally from the 2015 Canada World Cup (England 1-0 Germany in the match for third-place), but I also know them from the last SheBelieves Cup (Germany 2-1 England). Their team has undoubtedly developed well over the last few years, and they are one of the world’s best. The FIFA World Rankings say England are fifth. Tuesday’s game will no doubt be a physical one, given how England like to play.
DFB.de: Manager Steffi Jones has announced further changes to the team.
Däbritz: The tinkering is good for us, because that way we all get a chance to experience playing at a high level, especially for the players who haven’t had much time on the pitch yet. We had a great performance versus France, despite personnel changes at eight positions. It goes to show the depth and the quality that our squad possesses. Now we can all play our best, which is vital given how close we are to the European Championship.
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The Germany women’s national team are set to play England, in the SheBelieves Cup game to be played on Tuesday (22:00 CET), in Washington D.C.’s Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. It’s the last of three tough tests in the extremely competitive American tournament, and also an important checkpoint along the way to the European Championship, which will take place in the Netherlands between 16th July and 6th August.
Midfielder Sara Däbritz and her team are seeking a positive end to their time in America, following a 1-0 defeat to hosts USA and a 0-0 against France. In a DFB.de interview with editor Paula Widmer, the 22-year-old FC Bayern München player spoke about the France game and the aims for their final match against England.
DFB.de: Ms. Dabritz, what did you take away from the game against France?
Sara Däbritz: We had a good game. We moved the ball around and linked up well, thereby creating a fair amount of chances. Unfortunately, we didn’t take them. We had to win that game based on the number of chances alone.
DFB.de: What did you learn from it that could help you against England?
Däbritz: We want to build on top of our last game by playing physically, with passion, and with discipline. In addition, we want to play quick passing moves in order to create many chances, and then take them. Our goal is clear: to win the game, and finish positively.
DFB.de: What is the atmosphere in the locker-room like?
Däbritz: We’re happy in Washington, and like everywhere else we’ve played, have great conditions. The team is in good spirits and we’re ready to play our last game.
DFB.de: England placed third in the 2015 Canada World Cup, and you were there too. What’s special about this team?
Däbritz: I do indeed know England personally from the 2015 Canada World Cup (England 1-0 Germany in the match for third-place), but I also know them from the last SheBelieves Cup (Germany 2-1 England). Their team has undoubtedly developed well over the last few years, and they are one of the world’s best. The FIFA World Rankings say England are fifth. Tuesday’s game will no doubt be a physical one, given how England like to play.
DFB.de: Manager Steffi Jones has announced further changes to the team.
Däbritz: The tinkering is good for us, because that way we all get a chance to experience playing at a high level, especially for the players who haven’t had much time on the pitch yet. We had a great performance versus France, despite personnel changes at eight positions. It goes to show the depth and the quality that our squad possesses. Now we can all play our best, which is vital given how close we are to the European Championship.