Dzsenifer Marozsan: "I always want to win every game"

In an interview with DFB.de, 27-year-old Dzenifer Marozsan reflects on an eventful year with Olympique Lyon, talking also about her targets with the national team and her feelings ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal against FC Bayern München.

DFB.de: Ms Marozsan, the New Year has just begun. Before we focus on what lies ahead, let us take another look back. What are your overall thoughts on 2019?

Dzsenifer Marozsan: I have mixed feelings about the year. From a football perspective it was a perfect year at Lyon – I can have very few complaints about that. As for the national team, however, things did not go as well. I was unfortunate with my injury at the World Cup in France, but on the flipside of the coin, we’re in a great position to qualify for the EUROS in England next year – we’re on the right track there.

DFB.de: What are your personal aims for 2020?

Marozsan: Personally, I hope to stay fit and healthy. With the national team, the aim is to qualify for the EUROS and with Lyon we are striving to stay in every competition until the end.

DFB.de: What is your perspective on the national team’s development with regard to the 2021 European championship in England, which you have already mentioned?

Marozsan: After experiencing the kind of disappointment we experienced at the World Cup, it is often difficult to get back on the right track as a team. We have talked professionally to each other about the tournament, though. We addressed things honestly and directly within the team. This was a very important step in my opinion, as we have since enjoyed a successful start to our EURO qualifiers and also put in a good performance in our friendly against England just before the end of the year. The players are all concentrated on their work: You can tell that every single player is motivated to improve.

DFB.de: How do you rate the quality of some of the youngsters that have begun to join the team?

Marozsan: It is very, very important to introduce younger players into the team. It gives the team a new lease of life. I really can only praise every single one of the players who have come in. They add quality to the team.

DFB.de: You have been living in Lyon for around three and a half years now. How has it been for you from a football perspective?

Marozsan: As I said, from a footballing perspective it is going superbly. In the years since I joined, we’ve won everything, except the French Cup in 2018. That was the only hiccup. I am very pleased with my decision to move to Lyon. Everything is right, both on and off the pitch.

DFB.de: What is the best thing about living in France for you?

Marozsan: There’s a high quality of life in France. The people here place great value on being chilled out and living stress-free. I like that a lot. Everyone is very friendly and helpful, which makes me feel very comfortable here.

DFB.de: There is just no stopping Lyon, not domestically nor internationally. Is it not difficult to maintain the same level of motivation?

Marozsan: I am very happy about all the success and I am grateful for it. It is the reason why I play football and what I work hard for every day. I personally don’t find it difficult to maintain the motivation. I love football and who we’re playing against is of secondary importance to me. I always want to win every game, no matter the opposition.

DFB.de: In the current season you are on course for another championship title, and you are in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Is there anything at all to criticise about your situation going into the second half of the season?

Marozsan: It’s true; we’ve set ourselves up nicely for the second half of the season. That was massively important and it meant we could relax during the winter break. There are always small details that can be criticised – we are athletes competing at the highest level and we are never completely satisfied with our performance. We know we all have room for improvement, but that’s what defines us as players. We’re never satisfied and always want to improve.

DFB.de: Lots of German supporters are already eyeing up the quarterfinal between Lyon and Bayern. Is this a special game for you personally?

Marozsan: I am really looking forward to the game against Bayern. I think it will be an exciting and entertaining game of football. I have never played against Bayern in the Champions League before. It will be a special game for me.

DFB.de: How are you approaching the clash?

Marozsan: With respect, but also with confidence. Bayern are a really good team, I watch them play sometimes, but I also know the potential our team has. So I’m really excited and confident ahead of the game.

DFB.de: What do you make of FC Bayern?

Marozsan: Bayern have a lot of quality in their team with some excellent individuals. I see a lot of them regularly with the national team.

DFB.de: Do you still follow the Women’s Bundesliga?

Marozsan: Unfortunately watching the games in France is not so easy, but everything you can watch here I do try to watch as well, as long as I have the time to.