Paris' Alushi inspired by Champions League

No matter what name she goes under, what club she is at and what this competition is known as, that Fatmire Alushi will make an impact is almost a given.

A victor in the 2008/09 UEFA Women's Cup with FCR 2001 Duisburg under her maiden name Bajramaj, she repeated the trick in the rebranded UEFA Women's Champions League 12 months later for 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam. Two years on, in 2012, Alushi was in the 1. FFC Frankfurt side beaten in the final by Olympique Lyonnais, but now she could be destined for glory with Paris Saint-Germain.

Alushi, who turns 27 on Wednesday, moved to Paris last summer and in November's round of 16 it was her goals in both legs that took them past Lyon and into a quarter-final with Glasgow City LFC, whom they welcome to Parc des Princes on Saturday holding a 2-0 lead. The Germany playmaker talked to UEFA.com about this competition and the possibility of a final in Berlin.

UEFA.com: You have played in this competition since it was the UEFA Women's Cup. Can you describe how things have changed?

Fatmire Alushi: It is no longer just teams like Lyon or Potsdam who dominate – new teams have come through who have improved and taken a step forward and who are very dangerous. Teams like Wolfsburg, who have been playing excellent football for a few years now; then Frankfurt are back in the Champions League as well, plus PSG and Rosengård. I think women's football has become a lot faster and stronger.

UEFA.com: What impresses you most about the UEFA Women's Champions League?

Alushi: What impresses me most is firstly the name 'Champions League'. As soon as you hear the words 'Champions League' it is really fantastic. And if you can be part of it and even win this trophy then that is something really special – for me and I think for my team-mates too.

UEFA.com: Can you talk us through the last-16 tie against Lyon? It was pure drama, wasn't it?

Alushi: We played the first leg at home and got a 1-1 draw. But I have to say we could have won it, and deservedly, but we just didn't get the goals. Then, in the second leg in Lyon, we knew Lyon are very strong at home so it wasn't easy. Lyon immediately put a lot of pressure on us and created a lot of chances as well. But we had one chance and converted it, and that luckily meant we progressed.

Lyon had put pressure on us from the off. It's not easy to play there, the stadium is very big – you just think 'wow'. And for me they are one of the best teams in the world. So they created a lot of chances and we had just the one that we took, which meant we went through.

Alushi struck to knock out Lyon©AFP/Getty Images

UEFA.com: You played for many years in Germany and you were looking for a new challenge. Why did you choose Paris?

Alushi: I thought I am not the youngest any more – I was 25 last year – and I thought I wanted to try something new, something like England, the USA, France or Sweden. It didn't take me long to decide. Why not France: to learn a new language, and Paris is a beautiful city. I have been here eight months and I don't regret anything. I have really enjoyed every day here.

UEFA.com: This season's final will take place in Berlin. How nice would it be to make it there, so family and friends can come to watch you?

Alushi: Yes definitely, playing the Champions League final in Germany, and especially in Berlin, would be the greatest for me. And maybe even against a German team like Frankfurt, which is my former club, that's what I wish for.