Women

“Knowing it will be tough”

Interview: Lineth Beerensteyn ahead of the UEFA Women’s Champions League play-off first leg against Juventus FC.

In the UEFA Women’s Champions League play-off first leg, VfL Wolfsburg Women will face Lineth Beerensteyn’s former club, Juventus FC (Thursday, 18:45 CET, live on Disney+). Ahead of the clash with the Italian side, the Dutch forward spoke about reuniting with her former team and the challenge that lies ahead in Europe’s premier competition.

Lineth Beerensteyn, you’ll be facing your former club Juventus in the Champions League. Playing against former teammates is always special – is there anyone you’ll be particularly careful of in a one-on-one duel?

Lineth Beerensteyn: I wouldn’t say there’s a single player I need to watch out for. Juventus have a very strong squad with a lot of quality and experience. Some of their attackers score a lot of goals and have shown in the Champions League how important they are to the team. I’ve played with a few of them, so I know what they’re capable of. But in the end, it’s not about one player – Juventus are a very strong team overall.

You spent two years playing in Italy. What did that period teach you – both on and off the pitch?

Lineth: A lot. I grew not only as a footballer but also as a person. It was a completely different culture and a new language. I had an amazing time there, lived in a beautiful city, and played alongside many great players. I didn’t get worse from the experience – if anything, it was entirely positive.

You’ve only played one competitive match since the winter break. Is it difficult to jump straight into an international knockout game?

Lineth: Of course, it’s not ideal, because we’ve only had one official match. But we’ve been training very intensively and played plenty of internal games, so we’ve been able to find a rhythm. The Champions League is still something different – we know that. But we can’t change it – on matchday, we have to be ready, and I’m confident we will be.

Die VfL-Wolfsburg-Spielerinnen Alexandra Popp, Lineth Beerensteyn und Kessya Bussy jubeln.

How would you compare VfL Wolfsburg and Juventus FC?

Lineth: The leagues are different. The German league is very intense, while the Italian league is still growing, although it has developed a lot in recent years. Juventus have shown in the Champions League that they are no small opponent and can compete against top teams. So we know it will be tough. But if we play at our best level, we have a good chance of winning because of our quality. It definitely won’t be easy.

You’re playing more centrally in attack at Wolfsburg than you did in Turin. How do you like the new role?

Lineth: I really enjoy it. I can get more involved in the game and take part in more actions. Our playing style suits me, so I can really express myself. It feels very good at the moment, and I can see myself developing further.

How have you settled in since moving to Wolfsburg?

Lineth: Very well. The team and environment made it easy for me to adapt. I feel comfortable, can move freely on the pitch, and the support from my teammates is amazing. That helps me give my best and feel part of the squad.

Do you still keep in touch with former teammates at Juventus?

Lineth: Yes, I’m still in contact with a few. We wish each other happy birthdays or message for special occasions. I also have a close connection with a staff member. It will be nice to see everyone again – it’s been almost two years now.

Finally, what’s your goal for the rest of the Champions League season?

Lineth: We want to take it game by game, stay strong as a team, and take every opponent seriously. Ultimately, I hope we go as far as possible in the Champions League. I’m convinced that with our quality, we can achieve a lot.