What were your expectations of PSG in the first leg? They have struggled in the Champions League over the past two seasons and no longer have as many star players as before. And how are you approaching the second leg?
"I definitely wouldn't say PSG is a weakened team. These are players who have been performing at the highest level for years, so they're always tough opponents.
"We expected a difficult match, and that's exactly what we got. Maybe they had a slightly tougher season last year and weren't quite at their best, but they still have a lot of quality and great players. I'm quite pleased and impressed with how we played against them, but I still think they were a very solid opponent, especially physically.
"The second leg will be a real challenge. We expect something similar, but now we know more about how we want to play and what we're capable of. The first leg was very balanced, and I'm sure Wednesday will be another tough match."
You played a league match this weekend, unlike PSG. Does that help you at the start of the season, since playing more matches helps the team gel, or do you think you might be more tired than them?
"We've played a lot of matches during pre-season, and our league has started as well, so yes, we've played a lot. I think it can help us because it's allowed us to get to know each other better as a team, to understand what works, what doesn't, and what we need to improve. From that perspective, it's important and useful for us. We're going into this match knowing exactly what we need to do."
How is the group feeling ahead of the second leg?
"We got back together today after a tough result in the league yesterday, so today was mostly about recovery, meetings, and that sort of thing. Now that the league match is behind us, all our focus is on Wednesday.
"Our performance in the first leg really boosted our confidence in what we can do. We're really looking forward to Wednesday and excited about what this match could bring."
How does the 1-1 scoreline change your approach to the second leg, knowing everything is still to play for?
"In a way, it's like being on level terms. We know how we played and performed in the first leg, and we also know more about our opponent after that match. So we're going into this game with a lot of confidence, and that's exactly what we need.
"It's exciting to think we're just one step away: if we put in a good performance, we should be able to get a good result."
"Being physically ready, fresh, and available"
What do you think is the main lesson from the first leg that could make the difference in the return?
"They're a very solid and very physical team. That's often the case with top French teams: you're up against opponents who have played in the Champions League for many years, who are always at the top of the French league, and who are very strong physically. You have to be ready for that, whether it's in transitions or individual duels, where they're really tough.
"Being physically ready, fresh, and available - I think that's going to be essential for Wednesday."
You've played at the highest level, both for club and country. How do you draw on that experience to approach such a high-pressure, high-stakes match?
"Personally, I love these kinds of matches. I love playing at the highest level. It's really exciting. Knowing you're playing for something as important as Champions League qualification is already a huge motivation.
"The confidence we gained from the last match, combined with what's at stake, is probably the main driving force."
You've played in the Champions League with several different clubs. Do you have a favourite memory from this competition?
"Not really a specific memory. I had some tough years at Manchester City, where we were knocked out by Real Madrid several times. The following season, I actually joined Real Madrid and had a great Champions League run there, with more playing time and more matches. Overall, it was a good season for me."
You've played in some very tight Champions League matches, including one against Real Madrid with Manchester City where you hit the crossbar, and another against Chelsea when you were at Madrid. Can you talk us through those games?
"I don't remember them very well, to be honest.
"I remember the two matches against Real Madrid when I was at Manchester City: they were tough games, and we lost both. Then, after joining Frankfurt, we faced Real Madrid again in the same competition, and I thought it was really my chance, since I'd already been knocked out by them several times.
"As for those matches with Real Madrid, I don't think the team had its best season that year; we had a lot of injuries, and I don't even think we made it out of the group stage in the Champions League. But yes, there were some close games.
"In the Champions League, you face tough opponents every week, you're playing against the best teams, so it's really hard, and you have to be able to deliver good results consistently. But I don't have a very clear memory of those matches."
"I think I've taken on a leadership role"
You've mentioned your vast experience several times, and rightly so. As an experienced player, do you feel the younger players rely on you more, especially in such a prestigious competition as the Women's Champions League?
"Yes, I definitely think I've taken on a leadership role. With the experience I have and having played at the highest level, it's something I've had to do, and need to keep doing - to be an important player, not just on the pitch by bringing what I know, but also off it.
"Over the years, I've tried to use my experience in a positive way to help the younger players, those who haven't been through these moments as much, with what needs to be done. So I try to make the most of it as much as possible."
This is your second experience at a club where English isn't the main language. How are you adapting? How is your German, and what language do your teammates speak to you in?
"This season, we have a lot of foreign players, many internationals, so a big part of training and communication is in English, which has actually helped and meant we haven't needed to learn German as much. Last season, most of the instructions and communication were in German, which was harder for me - I needed a lot of translation. It was the same at Real Madrid, where I had to learn Spanish because that's all they spoke.
"This season, it's very different: there are a lot of English speakers, everyone speaks English, and a good part of the instructions are given in both German and English. I have to say, adapting has been pretty easy this season."
Back to the Champions League - you mentioned your time with Real Madrid and your good memories. Looking ahead, if Eintracht Frankfurt qualify for the main phase of the Champions League, do you feel the club has what it takes to really compete with the best teams in the draw and go far?
"I think the match against PSG showed us even more that we can compete. It's important to know where we come from, but also to remember the level we can reach when we play well.
"You have to be consistent in your performances to be at the top, and that's where we want to be. That match against PSG showed we can compete with the best, but now it's about doing it consistently to stay at that level. That's definitely one of our main goals."
Is there anything you want to do differently compared to the first leg?
"...We'll have training and meetings, we'll go over what worked, what didn't, and what we need to improve; we'll probably fine-tune those things... But from my personal point of view, I think we controlled the match quite well, kept the ball well, and created a lot of chances. If we can finish some of those, I think we'll put ourselves in a very good position for this match."
"We want to be competitive in Europe, we want to be at the highest level"
This summer, some key players left the club. Do you think the squad has enough experience to handle a match of this magnitude, and potentially the group stage afterwards?
"I think we've shown we're capable, but of course, losing big players is always tough to deal with.
"I think this season we have a solid team, a really good group of girls, with players who want to win and want to compete. It's really important to have a group with that mindset.
"We're taking it step by step, but I can definitely say we have a team that's ready and determined to compete in the biggest competitions."
And you personally, what can you bring against PSG on Wednesday?
"I'm a hard-working player, and I think that's really important. They have a lot of strength and speed, and even though I'm mainly an attacker, I think I work quite well defensively, so I hope I can help in that way, defending against those fast and powerful players.
"But overall, I think if we play as well as we did the other night, or even better, we'll really have a chance. I'm very motivated to do everything I can to help the team get through this stage."
Women's football is really growing at Eintracht Frankfurt, almost a return to the club's glory days. How do you feel about this project? Do you feel the women's team is growing more each year? And your president, Katharina Kiel, now also heads the new women's Bundesliga, which says a lot about her commitment to women's football.
"Yes, absolutely. Eintracht Frankfurt's women's side is an exciting project. I know that in the past, it was one of the very best clubs in Germany and Europe, and I'm sure the club wants to get back to that level.
"As players, it's the same: we want to be competitive in Europe, we want to be at the highest level. We're still growing, still finding our place, and I hope that on Wednesday we can do what's needed to get a bit closer to that goal.
"I'm fully committed to this project, which is really inspiring. I think I have a lot of experience, gained in other teams and at different levels, and I want to bring everything I have to the club, to help as much as possible. That's what I did last season, and I'll keep doing it this season, but I think we're on a good path, heading in the right direction."
It seems like the German league is becoming one of the most competitive, with more teams challenging just behind Bayern Munich. How do you explain this development?
"People often say the English WSL is a top women's league, and it's true, it's definitely one of the best leagues in the world from my experience, but since joining the German league, I can only praise it: the competition, week after week, is extremely tough.
"Of course, there's Bayern and Wolfsburg, who are still elite teams, and it's always a tough match against them. But even against mid-table teams, or those who were lower in the standings last season, every match is really tough: it's about physicality, strength, transitions, style of play - it's a real challenge... There are no easy games in this league, and I think that's maybe not recognised enough.
"But the German league is really a great league, whether it's the facilities, the teams, or the style of play. I don't have an exact answer to your question, but I speak very positively about the German league and its current place in women's football."
You've had a great career, both at club and international level. What are your ambitions for the future, on both fronts?
"At club level, right now, my biggest goal is for us to qualify for the Champions League and compete there for another season. That's something I really want to achieve: I've already played in the Champions League, I know what it's like, it's such an exciting moment, and that's what I want to experience at club level.
"With the national team, of course, we have the World Cup next year, which is the big event we're all preparing for."
