Germany international Sarai Linder has been part of the She-Wolf clan since last summer. In this interview she discusses how she wants to help the team even further, as well as the apprenticeship she is currently undertaking in addition to her football career.
Sarai Linder, first things first: how are you?
Sarai Linder: “I’m doing well on the whole. It’s a shame that my foot didn’t completely heal over the winter break, but I’ll get there.”
You’ve been at VfL for roughly six months now and have played a great deal. How well do you think you have settled here?
Sarai: “I really like it here. Partly because I was able to integrate myself well into the team but also because I was able to contribute and get a lot of minutes on the pitch. We’ve achieved most of our aims so far. Now we want to build on what we did in the first half of the season, and fine-tune a few other things.”
How satisfied are you with your performances so far? Have you set yourself any objectives for your first season at VfL?
Sarai: “As a player, obviously you always want to play. I think I can tick that one off the list. Then it’s a matter of how you play and whether you’re pleased with your performances. I think I’ve still got room for improvement there in terms of being able to help the team out more in attack, maybe going for goal myself every so often, delivering more accurate crosses and making quicker and better decisions.”
In addition to your football career, you’re also currently doing an apprenticeship...
Sarai: “That’s right, I’ve been doing a physiotherapy apprenticeship for the last three and a half years. I wanted to finish it last summer but had to shelve those plans because of the Olympics.”
That’s a pretty good reason!
Sarai: “Exactly. When Wolfsburg enquired about me I knew I would probably have to postpone finishing it off until this winter. I think it’s great that VfL have taken that into account and are making it possible for me to catch up on my studies. I’ve had a bit more time to study recently because of my little injury. Tommy [Stroot] has said several times that I should just let him know whenever I need to study or if I don’t have a clear head.”
How did you start out playing football?
Sarai: “I have an older brother and two younger brothers, so it was through them. The older two played football and one time my dad took me along with him to a parents-versus-kids game. I was five or six at the time and played on the parents’ team.”
What do you do in your free time nowadays?
Sarai: “I do lots of things with my friends and family, but I also enjoy other sports when I have time. I’m interested in languages. I like relaxing and visiting the surrounding area. Unfortunately I haven’t managed to get to the Autostadt museum in Wolfsburg yet, but I want to do that soon.”
