VfL Wolfsburg & Sweden defender Nilla Fischer is confident but not complacent about their upcoming UWCL ties against Chelsea…
Wolfsburg defender Nilla Fischer feels her team will need to be at their best to overcome a “tough game” against Chelsea Ladies when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge, Wed, 7pm ko, in the UEFA Women’s Champions League this week WRITES KIERAN THEIVAM (@WoSoZone).
The clubs square off for the second season in a row after meeting in the final 16 stage last season, with the German side coming out on top 4-1 on aggregate.
Fischer, speaking to She Kicks last week, was in confident mood going into the tie, but was cautious due to the challenge Chelsea posed last time out.
“We feel good after a good start to the season, which included a win away in Munich against Bayern,” she said, of their triumph against last season’s Frauenbundesliga champions.
“We’re happy to go into the tournament in good form, but of course Chelsea is not an easy draw, and we need to perform at top level, knowing the challenge we faced last year.”
Wolfsburg went on to make the final of the competition, losing out to Lyon on penalties in a closely fought contest in Reggio Emilia, Italy (Fischer pictured in action above, in that final, as Camille Abily attempts to shoot on goal, Action Images).
When the draw was made last month, Fischer was not surprised to see them come up against the Londoners again, and when asked about the seedings system, was respectful when replying about the format.
“There are easier teams to play against on paper, but to be in the Champions League you have to beat the best teams – it will be fun and I’m looking forward to playing Chelsea.
“The seedings are done on points from the tournament, so maybe they need to look at the system. The English league is a good league, and for us and the champions to play each other, it’s perhaps not the optimal first round.
“But going into the tournament we knew there was a risk we could play them, but you have to accept the opponent and just enjoy the games.”
Fischer highlighted Gemma Davison as a player her team need to look out for, while also suggesting that set-pieces could be a strength for Chelsea, meaning her defence would need to be ready to deal with any balls into the box.
But she was also complimentary of her own side’s strengths, with the club adding established Iceland and Germany internationals Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir from Rosengard, and Anja Mittag from Paris St Germain in the off-season, repsectively.
“Sara is a very strong player and is good in the air, which I think we needed in midfield. She plays the easy pass and brings another level of physique to our team.
“With Anja Mittag, everybody knows about her. She is a very strong finisher and a good box player – we are very happy to have them both in the team.”
Chelsea and Wolfsburg will play the first leg at the home of Chelsea FC, a ground some of the German club’s players will know from the 2013 final when they shocked the women’s football world to bear Lyon, thanks to a penalty goal by veteran Martina Muller.
Fischer admitted that if they wanted to repeat the successes of 2013 and 2014, they would need to be in their best form throughout the tournament.
“Of course we want to win tournaments, but we know that in the Champions League it is really hard to go all the way.
“We want to be in the final but we need to have a better 90 or 120 minutes (than last year’s final).”
England v France
Fri, 21 Oct 2016
8:00pm, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Prices
Adults £7.50
Children/Conc £3.50
Family of 4 £15 (2 adults + 2 children)
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