Alexandra Popp doesn’t see her team without a chance against favorites Lyon. Photo: Marius Becker
(Photo: dpa)
Before the final on Thursday in Reggio Emilia, the international speaks in an interview with the German Press Agency about Lyon’s strengths and a possible recipe for success against the favorites.
You have the chance to be the first team to win the Champions League three times. Is that another special incentive?
Alexandra Popp: We don’t really think about that. We want to take the trophy home and reward ourselves for all our hard work throughout the season. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first, third or fifth time.
Lyon beat Paris Saint Germain 7-0 and 1-0 in the semifinals. How big is the respect for this opponent?
Popp: I don’t think the respect is much greater than we have anyway. Lyon have world-class players in many positions and are one of the best teams in Europe. They may be the favorites in this game, but we’re well deserved in the final. And especially in the Champions League we always delivered decent games.
In previous CL triumphs for VfL Wolfsburg, it was a hard-fought win against Tyresö in 2014 and the outsider’s success against Lyon in 2013. What will matter this time?
Popp: I think we can beat Lyon if we don’t let them come into play. If we give them too much time, they can play up their game and play the ball forward quickly. If we put pressure on them early on, we have a chance to win. We’ll be there with 110 percent, and that’s what sets us and the coaching staff apart. We know how Lyon play and are well adjusted to it. Their style of play hasn’t changed very much in recent years. There are a lot of players who have been there for so long. They’re 100 percent practiced because they’ve been playing with the same players for years.
TO PERSON: The 67-time German international Alexandra Popp has played for VfL Wolfsburg since 2012. In 2013 she won the treble of the Champions League, championship and DFB Cup with the Lower Saxony and again in 2014 the premier class. The 25-year-old previously played for FCR Duisburg for four years.
