Behringer and Schumann reflect and vow
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Article summary
Melanie Behringer and Desirée Schumann rued mistakes for the goals that led to 1. FFC Frankfurt's 2-0 final defeat by Olympique Lyonnais but hope to be back in Europe next season.
Article top media content
Article body
Melanie Behringer looked back at 1. FFC Frankfurt's 2-0 UEFA Women's Champions League final defeat by Olympique Lyonnais and admitted it all went wrong after she conceded a 15th-minute penalty from which Eugénie Le Sommer broke the deadlock. It had been a promising start for Frankfurt, but for the second time in six days they lost a final 2-0 after their German Cup final reverse to FC Bayern München. However, Behringer and keeper Desirée Schumann, chipped from distance for the second goal by Camille Abily, are hopeful of a top-two league finish and a European return.
Melanie Behringer, Frankfurt midfielder
From the beginning with the penalty, I felt the defeat coming. I think we played well at the start, and then the penalty came, it was unlucky. I feel sad for the whole team. We tried to fight, but it wasn't enough, and against Lyon we cannot say that it is not deserved.
I heard that I had time [for the concession of the penalty], because normally I kick the ball straight away, and then she came to me, and ...
We had some good chances, but we couldn't reach the box, and that is what was missing. We still have a tiny chance [to qualify via] the Bundesliga, and we're fighting hard. With our squad it would be really bitter not to play in the Champions League next season.
Desirée Schumann, Frankfurt goalkeeper
Unfortunately we conceded two goals in the first half, and it's always difficult to come back then. I think we had our chances, but we didn't take them. If we would have scored the match would have developed differently. I was so sure we would score once and turn the match around, but we're very disappointed now.
[For the second goal] I cleared the ball outside the penalty area with my head, but it wasn't far enough; or nobody was there from my team. And so the Lyon player hit the ball on the volley, and then of course you look daft as a goalkeeper.
We showed we are a team, we were very motivated, and everybody fought for their team-mates; it's just very disappointing that we didn't win here today. As long as it is theoretically possible we will fight, and do everything possible to qualify for European competition next season.