Goessling on Wolfsburg-Rosengård, Kessler, Mittag

VfL Wolfsburg have never lost a European tie but that record will be under serious threat over the next fortnight.

Wolfsburg, aiming for a third UEFA Women's Champions League title in as many entries, are up against FC Rosengård in the quarter-finals, with Sunday's first leg inaugurating the new stadium in which the German club's female and reserve teams will play. Against a side containing the likes of Marta and Anja Mittag, Wolfsburg must do without several injured talents including world and European player of the year Nadine Kessler. To compound matters, on Sunday they went down 2-0 to 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam, their first defeat in 13 months.

Usually alongside Kessler in midfield is Lena Goessling, and she spoke to UEFA.com about how her role changes in the absence of the captain, the tie with Rosengård and her Germany room-mate Mittag, and how Wolfsburg are no longer underestimated.

UEFA.com: How are you looking forward to the tie with Rosengård, the first international game at this new stadium?

Lena Goessling: We know Rosengård will be tough opponents. We played them [when named FCR Malmö] last season and we didn't really want to play them again, but we are looking forward to it. We know there will be a great atmosphere in the new stadium.

Wolfsburg's new stadium©Getty Images

UEFA.com: What kind of game do you expect?

Goessling: I think we have to find our way into the match by fighting, we have to negate Rosengård's attack. We know the players they have in their team, players like Anja Mittag and Marta who are world-class players. We won't underestimate Rosengård, and we will try to take the first step towards the semi-finals here at home.

UEFA.com: You just mentioned Anja Mittag, your Germany team-mate ...

Goessling: The funny thing is that she is even my room-mate with the national team, and when the draw happened we were on tour with the national team and we said before that we didn't want to play each other. But then it happened and we were both really happy about the draw. But OK, we haven't really made any jokes or comments about it yet. But we both know how strong the two sides are.

UEFA.com: Your midfield partner Nadine Kessler is out for the season. How much is she missed and does her absence change your own game?

Goessling: My game is different because I take on more responsibilities. Before I could always rely on 'Kessi' next to me, but now she has been out for a few months we need to take on more responsibilities. A few players have had to do that, not just me. I think I've developed further by taking over that duty. I try to walk in her footsteps as long as she is not back with us.

Goessling will be up against Germany room-mate Mittag (left)©Getty Images

UEFA.com: The first leg will be at home, the second away. Does that make a difference in terms of preparation and approach to the games?

Goessling: I personally prefer to play away first and then at home. And there we will be playing on artificial grass, which will make a difference. But maybe this time it is better if we play at home first, and then away, as we know we are strong at home and have the usual surface here, so maybe we can get a good advantage for reaching the semi-finals before the return leg.

UEFA.com: After having won the trophy twice, do you feel your opponents are more motivated when they play you, as they're playing the holders?

Goessling: All the clubs we play against are very motivated because they want to cause us difficulties. And nobody underestimates us any more, as they maybe did two years ago – people maybe thought we were just lucky to have won the Champions League once. But we confirmed our victory and now it's getting more difficult, with nobody giving us any presents any more.