Potsdam aim to close out Juvisy tie

After last week's 3-0 UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final first-leg win at FCF Juvisy Essonne put 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam in control of the tie, they want a big turn-out at their Karl Liebknecht home for the latest stage of their European title defence.

Bianca Schmidt and Fatmire Bajramaj struck for Potsdam in France before an own goal extended their lead just days after they had clinched a third straight German title in front of 7,000 fans. Ahead of the return match, which could set up a repeat of last year's all-German semi-final with FCR 2001 Duisburg, Potsdam vice-president Marina Ringel said: "We hope we will have a full house at the 'Karli'."

However, coach Bernd Schröder is without playmaker Bajramaj with a bruised pelvis while goalkeeper Anna Felicitas Sarholz and defender Daniela Löwenberg are doubtful with gastroenteritis. Others are carrying knocks and although Schröder would prefer to rest some of them for Saturday's German Cup final against 1. FFC Frankfurt in Cologne, he emphasised: "I cannot leave them all out."

Juvisy responded well to their home reverse last Wednesday by beating Montpellier Hérault SC 3-1 to move to within six points of their second-placed opponents – and keep alive hopes of a European return next season. Julie Machart scored twice yet it was Gaëtane Thiney's spectacular curled opener which caught the eye.

"The girls won with their guts which is very valuable from a mental point of view," coach Sandrine Mathivet said. "Last Wednesday we played well but lost. It's never easy to bounce back. But we managed it and that makes me proud before travelling to Germany."