It is no surprise that Jill Roord has been busy fulfilling media duties alongside Dominique Janssen ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Arsenal (kick-off 21:00 CET). Like her compatriot, Roord spent time with the London club before joining the She-Wolves.
In a short interview, the Women’s EURO 2017 winner looks ahead to tonight’s special reunion.
Jill Roord, what does it mean to face your former club in the UWCL quarter-finals?
Jill Roord: “It’s obviously a special tie because I played in London and know a lot of people there very well, but I’m trying not to think about it too much. I’m just looking forward to the games – that’s the main thing.”
Your Netherlands teammate Vivianne Miedema also plays for Arsenal. She hasn’t been playing up front this season but as a number ten. Have you been in touch with her these past few days?
Jill: “Yes, we’ve exchanged a few messages, but it was all very casual and not just about the game. Her change of position didn’t surprise me at all, to be honest. She’s just a very good player – and players like her can play in a lot of different positions.”
What do you make of Arsenal on the whole and what kind of game are you expecting?
Jill: “Arsenal have a brilliant squad with great individual quality, but we’re now among the best eight teams in the quarter-finals, so that assessment applies to all the other sides as well. We have to bring the same energy onto the pitch as we did against Chelsea. If we do that, we’re capable of anything.”
