Things look much brighter for 1. FFC Frankfurt after beating long-standing rivals Turbine Potsdam 5-1 in their first Allianz Women’s Bundesliga match of 2015. Germany international Celia Sasic completed a hat-trick. The 26-year-old forward discussed the rest of the season and the seven-point gap on leaders VfL Wolfsburg with DFB.de
DFB.de: Ms. Sasic, was the 5-1 against Turbine Potsdam a sign that your opponents shouldn’t write you off all too quickly?
Celia Sasic: You could say it like that. We really wanted to win that game to make sure we’re still in the race for the title. Our situation remains difficult, because München and Wolfsburg also won their games. At least we’re ahead of Turbine Potsdam now. Not much has changed though. We still want to and must win the remaining eight fixtures in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga. That’s all we can do. We’ll see how far that will take us in the end.
DFB.de: Are you upset about dropping points too easily during the first half of the season?
Sasic: It’s a shame of course. However, there is no point in fretting about what has been. We need to look ahead, because we can only influence future results. We showed a convincing performance in the last game of 2014 and beat Bayern München 3-1 in the DFB Cup quarter final. Furthermore, we’ve reached the Champions League quarter final. We carried that momentum into our first league fixture. We’re on the right way and we have to ensure we continue that way.
DFB.de: Why do you suddenly succeed in areas you used to struggle with?
Sasic: We were focused from the first to the last minute. We played a good game overall. We have to carry on like this. If we do so, we can still achieve a lot.
DFB.de: The you benefit from the fact that you forced the decision early on in the game?
Things look much brighter for 1. FFC Frankfurt after beating long-standing rivals Turbine Potsdam 5-1 in their first Allianz Women’s Bundesliga match of 2015. Germany international Celia Sasic completed a hat-trick. The 26-year-old forward discussed the rest of the season and the seven-point gap on leaders VfL Wolfsburg with DFB.de
DFB.de: Ms. Sasic, was the 5-1 against Turbine Potsdam a sign that your opponents shouldn’t write you off all too quickly?
Celia Sasic: You could say it like that. We really wanted to win that game to make sure we’re still in the race for the title. Our situation remains difficult, because München and Wolfsburg also won their games. At least we’re ahead of Turbine Potsdam now. Not much has changed though. We still want to and must win the remaining eight fixtures in the Allianz Women’s Bundesliga. That’s all we can do. We’ll see how far that will take us in the end.
DFB.de: Are you upset about dropping points too easily during the first half of the season?
Sasic: It’s a shame of course. However, there is no point in fretting about what has been. We need to look ahead, because we can only influence future results. We showed a convincing performance in the last game of 2014 and beat Bayern München 3-1 in the DFB Cup quarter final. Furthermore, we’ve reached the Champions League quarter final. We carried that momentum into our first league fixture. We’re on the right way and we have to ensure we continue that way.
DFB.de: Why do you suddenly succeed in areas you used to struggle with?
Sasic: We were focused from the first to the last minute. We played a good game overall. We have to carry on like this. If we do so, we can still achieve a lot.
DFB.de: The you benefit from the fact that you forced the decision early on in the game?
Sasic: I wouldn’t say that the game was decided already. Yes, we were 3-0 ahead at the break. However, the game between Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in the men’s Bundesliga was a prime example of a game turning around quickly. It was important that we didn’t rest on our laurels. I want to stress that this kind of performance has to be what we strive for.
DFB.de: You scored a hat-trick. Are you completely happy with your performance?
Sasic: Yes, it went well. It was an easy game to play for a striker, because my teammates had a great day and were able to provide me with good assists. That was good. Now we have to make sure we carry on like this.
DFB.de: Next up is an away game at SC Sand. Is a win compulsory in that fixture?
Sasic: Oh, definitely not. If we approach the task like this, then we’ll be in deep trouble. Sand are particularly strong at home and managed to make life difficult for a number of top teams. We’re not in a position to consider any game to be a walk in the park.
DFB.de: Are you still eyeing the title despite the seven-point gap on Wolfsburg who have played a very consistent season?
Sasic: I’ve made a habit of not looking that far ahead. There’s no point in it. The next game is always the most important one. That may sound like a cliché, but it’s true. It’s not up to us anymore. The only thing we can control are our own performances. That means we have to make sure we win the remaining games.
DFB.de: You’ve still got the opportunity to win the DFB Cup and the Champions League.
Sasic: Exactly, we’re still in three competitions. We play Turbine Potsdam again for the DFB Cup semi final early in April. Shortly before, we’ll face Bristol Academy for the Champions League quarter final. Those are challenging fixtures. I’m excited. It's the most important part of the season.
