DFB.de: On Friday the team plays France in the quarter-finals...
Maier: We need to be alert from the very first second and give our all until the end, just like we did against Sweden. We have to dominate this game.
DFB.de: In the next match there will be a tactical change.
Maier: Yes. It is unfortunate that Saskia Bartusiak will miss the match because of her suspension. But we have so much depth in our team that one change is not that much of a setback. The other games have shown that.
DFB.de: Have you already analysed France?
Maier: We have been analysing the French team since the group stage. We watched their last 16 game together as a team. We know where their strengths lie. Their team has much quality and we have played against them in the past. We know that they like to play rather tight and competitive football. The quarterfinal will be an even match.
DFB.de: You will be playing in a domed stadium in a city with a very strong French connection. What do you think the atmosphere will be like?
Maier: I think that the atmosphere on Friday will be very good. France played their last 16 match in Montreal and probably won over a couple of fans. There is also the fact that Montreal is very French, you can feel it everywhere. On Friday most of the fans will be supporting France but that makes it more exciting for us. It gives us an extra boost to go out and win.
The Germany Women’s team have set up a new camp ahead of the quarter-final. They left their previous base camp in Ottawa and have now based themselves in Montreal. On Friday evening the team will take on France at the Olympic Stadium with a semi-final spot on the line.
Before the big game against a strong France team, DFB.de caught up with Leonie Maier to talk about their move to Montreal, qualification for the 2016 Olympics and their upcoming opponents.
DFB.de: Mrs Maier, what were your impressions of your first training session in Montreal?
Leonie Maier: It was very positive. We had a relatively short but rather intense session. After having Tuesday afternoon off, it was nice to be back on the training pitch on Wednesday. It was fun, even though it was very hot. We are in good shape and are all feeling very good here in Montreal.
DFB.de: Were you able to explore the city during your free afternoon?
Maier: Yes. I like Montreal very much. We made the most of our afternoon off as we did a tour of the city. Our hotel is located in city centre and we can reach many sights by foot. In the evening, the whole team had dinner in a restaurant which was really nice.
DFB.de: How did you find out that you had qualified for the Olympics?
Maier: We were all watching the game between Norway and England together. Once the result was certain and we knew that we qualified for the Olympics in Rio, we were very happy. But, we now have to concentrate on this World Cup. The Olympic qualification is just one milestone that we have reached. We have not fulfilled all of our dreams yet.
DFB.de: On Friday the team plays France in the quarter-finals...
Maier: We need to be alert from the very first second and give our all until the end, just like we did against Sweden. We have to dominate this game.
DFB.de: In the next match there will be a tactical change.
Maier: Yes. It is unfortunate that Saskia Bartusiak will miss the match because of her suspension. But we have so much depth in our team that one change is not that much of a setback. The other games have shown that.
DFB.de: Have you already analysed France?
Maier: We have been analysing the French team since the group stage. We watched their last 16 game together as a team. We know where their strengths lie. Their team has much quality and we have played against them in the past. We know that they like to play rather tight and competitive football. The quarterfinal will be an even match.
DFB.de: You will be playing in a domed stadium in a city with a very strong French connection. What do you think the atmosphere will be like?
Maier: I think that the atmosphere on Friday will be very good. France played their last 16 match in Montreal and probably won over a couple of fans. There is also the fact that Montreal is very French, you can feel it everywhere. On Friday most of the fans will be supporting France but that makes it more exciting for us. It gives us an extra boost to go out and win.
