Peter aims for another Potsdam title

Germany defender Babett Peter played a crucial role in 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam's UEFA Women's Champions League success last season – and as the newly crowned German champions visit France's FCF Juvisy Essonne on Wednesday for their quarter-final first leg, the 23-year-old tells UEFA.com about her dreams of more glory in London in May.

UEFA.com: You have reached the German Cup final, won a third straight German championship and now quickly turn your attentions to the UEFA Women's Champions League. Is it difficult to keep focused?

Babett Peter: It is kind of a pity we don't get the opportunity to relax at least for a week after winning the championship. But I don't have a problem dealing with it mentally. I am looking forward to a new task and to playing against new opponents I've never met before.

UEFA.com: Juvisy only returned to the international stage this season after years out of the UEFA competitions. How familiar are you with them as a club?

Peter: I have no specific information about Juvisy, but we will step up our preparations by watching videos of them. What I know is that they are a typical French side, so they are technically gifted but also focused on their physical strength and their fighting spirit. Teams like that are always a challenge, but I like playing French opponents.

UEFA.com: How do you rate your chances?

Peter: I am optimistic that we will be able to progress to the next stage if we focus on our strengths and don't give them too much space.

UEFA.com: Although you retained your title, your team's performances in the Bundesliga did not always match your expectations ...

Peter: It is true we haven't always been at our best. The pressure on us is very high, everybody expects us to win trophies and to stroll through the league. Subconsciously these expectations stifle us sometimes and we have problems getting our game going.

UEFA.com: Would reaching another UEFA Women's Champions League final, this time in London, be a dream come through?

Peter: London is a beautiful city, I want to go there. Playing this kind of game is the reason you get up every morning and train hard. To experience such moments is why you play this sport. But we will take it step by step and I am glad we can focus on the challenges ahead, now the league has finished.

UEFA.com: What is the secret of Potsdam's success?

Peter: The entire environment at Potsdam and being part of a top-quality side has rubbed off on all the players, so a winning mentality has developed. It is a must to constantly play at the highest level, especially over the last two years and considering the individual strength of all our players. If you are at the top, you want to stay there and at Potsdam the conditions are right for us to reach our targets.