Griedge Mbock: "Paris must be in the Women's Champions League" | OneFootball

The Paris Saint-Germain defender looks ahead to the UEFA Women's Champions League play-off with Juventus.

Griedge, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, WHAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT SPRINGS TO MIND?

'The trophy, of course, because it's a cup I've had the good fortune to win several times. It's a mad competition, very high quality. So when you win it, there's a lot of emotion and joy. You really get the feeling of a job well done, and that's really great.'

YOU HAVE INDEED WON THE COMPETITION SIX TIMES. do you have a special relationship with this competition?

'Yes, of course. I am still hungry to win. In fact, when I hear the Women's Champions League mentioned, I just want to play these high-quality games and be able to go all the way.'

WHAT MAKES THIS COMPETITION SO SPECIAL?

'We know that when the matches are of this quality, people come to see them and there is a lot more at stake. They're great games, so people come to the stadium to support us. There's also a lot of emotion and that really makes you want to go all the way in the competition. So it's a mix of all of that.'

YOU PLAYED YOUR FIRST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO IN 2015. what do you remember of that?

'That's a while ago! When I started playing at the top level, my goal was to play in the Women's Champions League, because I had seen games on TV and it made me dream. So to be able to play in the competition really brought out a lot of emotions. It's a moment that has left its mark and only good memories, especially because we won the game. It's a moment I'm proud of.'

THOUGH YOU'RE A DEFENDER, YOU HAVE SCORED IN THE COMPETITION TOO. DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST GOAL IN MARCH 2016?

'Yes, I remember even scoring a brace! The atmosphere was crazy, the supporters were out in force and we were hungry! We put on a show and scored some nice goals. It was a fantastic feeling!'

YOU'RE USED TO PLAYING IN BIG TOURNAMENTS WITH THE FRENCH NATIONAL TEAM. WHAT MAKES THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SO SPECIAL?

'The other competitions are incredible too, but it's true that the European Cup is special because it's with your club. You are with your teammates every day, you train with them. You see the effort everyone puts in throughout the season and to be able to win a competition like this, thinking about all the sacrifices the team has made throughout the season, is really something special.'

PARIS IS CLOSE TO ANOTHER GROUP STAGE PARTICIPATION IN THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. IS THAT A MAJOR OBJECTIVE FOR THE SQUAD?

'Yes, it's a major objective! Paris Saint-Germain must be in the Women's Champions League. In any case, that's our goal. I don't think that there's anyone here who doesn't imagine themselves playing in Europe this season. So it's going to be important to get into the competition well by winning the games coming up against Juventus.'

TO QUALIFY, YOU'LL HAVE TO BEAT JUVENTUS. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE DRAW?

'I was rather happy. Among the potential opponents, I actually wanted to play against Juventus. They're an opponent I'm used to facing in the Women's Champions League. They're a good opponent, but we also have our strengths and we would have to win against whoever we played. It's gonna be a big game, but we'll be ready.'

WHAT HAVE YOU NOTICED ABOUT THIS TEAM's strengths?

'They're a team that knows how to play. They have improved enormously in recent years and are doing good things not only in their domestic league, but also in Europe. We'll have to be careful, but I have faith in our team and in my teammates.'

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