Endler: 'Fight for the one goal'
The Paris Saint-Germain Women's team goalkeeper Christiane Endler joined PSG.fr to look ahead to an exciting end to the French first division season.
Christiane, what state of mind is the team in as we enter the sprint finish of the season?
"We are calm, as we have been all season, preparing for every match in the same way. I think we've done well and we need to continue in the same way. At the moment, the most important thing is to recover well. We have had a lot of difficult games and we have to recover for the end of the season because these are the most important games. This is my fourth season and I think this is the strongest team we've ever had, especially with the atmosphere in the squad. We all get on really well and we all fight for the one goal. I think this is the first year that there is such a strong unity in the squad."
And there’s this perfect mix of experienced players and youngsters from the Academy...
"Yes, I think that having young players who have worked with us for several years is important. This year, many of them have already started matches or even been important elements of the team like Sandy (Baltimore), Laurina (Fazer), Océane (Hurtré) or Jade (Le Guilly), who have integrated well. I think this unity has made us a stronger team and has allowed us to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and to play for the league title."
After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, the team bounced back with wins over Paris FC (3-2) and Le Havre (2-0)...
"It was a difficult moment, especially because I think we have a very good team this year, well prepared for European competition. We had a real chance to reach the final, but unfortunately we didn't succeed. That's football. We had to turn the page quickly and concentrate on the next challenge. We have the objective of winning the championship and we have a good chance. If we do what we have to do... We have three finals left and we have to play each of these games to our maximum."
Paris never looked so close to winning the league...
"I think we were better prepared this year, and that's why we managed to beat Lyon in particular. We showed that it is possible to beat them if we work well, with a good attitude, and if we prepare well for the game, and that they are not unbeatable and that we can do it again. We have the championship in our hands and the opportunity to do something great for the club."