Rolfö: Don't underestimate Linköping
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
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"We are a bit underestimated," said Linköpings FC striker Fridolina Rolfö – whose hat-trick got them past Liverpool FC – as they prepare to take on Brøndby IF.
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Fridolina Rolfö could hardly have made a more spectacular European debut for Linköpings FC, scoring a hat-trick to overturn a first-leg deficit against Liverpool LFC in the UEFA Women's Chamions League round of 32.
Four months on and Linköping are preparing for a quarter-final against Denmark's Brøndby IF, hosting the first leg on Sunday in only their second competitive match of 2015, a week after losing to FC Rosengård in the Swedish Super Cup. Rolfö, whose first Sweden call-up swiftly followed the Liverpool game, spoke to UEFA.com about the quarter-final and their run so far.
UEFA.com: What do you think of the tie against Brøndby?
Fridolina Rolfö: Well, that is very difficult to say, and I will be totally honest, I don't know much about Brøndby. But I know how Danish clubs are in general, they are good on the ball and like to play wide. They have players who are good at passing the ball, so it will be exciting to see how it goes. They have done a good job so far, they have managed to get into the Champions League, so it's not a bad football team we're playing against, so we need to have a lot of respect for Brøndby.
UEFA.com: The Champions League so far – has it been fun?
Rolfö: Yes, of course. It is definitely an experience you take with you. We have had the chance to travel – so far we have been to the UK and Russia where we have played games. We have met very different teams, which is very educational and fun.
UEFA.com: We hear often Rosengård mentioned as one of the potential winners of the tournament. Less is heard about Linköping. Do you think you are being underestimated?
Rolfö: It is very difficult. Rosengård have done very well in Europe and have very good results as well as winning the league many times. In that way they are favourites. But I think that we have a very good team this year, and we have managed to beat them. We won against them twice last year in the Swedish league. I can say that we are a bit underestimated.
UEFA.com: As proved by you beating Liverpool…
Rolfö: Yes, it was a fun game. We lost 2-1 when we played away against Liverpool, so it was very important for the team to win that game in the end. Everyone wants to see us go further in the Champions League. We played a good game and had a good attitude. We also had great support at the Linköpings Arena, and we went out onto the pitch and managed to win the game and go through.
UEFA.com; Do you think that it was your performance against Liverpool that opened up doors to the national team?
Rolfö: Yes, I think so – at least partly. I think I managed to show the breadth of my game, I scored three very different goals and I showed international quality, which is important for the national team. So I definitely think that was one of the reasons.