Leitzig: Good To Be Back
- LCFC Women are in pre-season mode at Belvoir Drive
- The squad head to Australia next week for the Perth International Football Cup
- Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig can’t wait to get the season started
It’s been several weeks now since the Foxes headed back to Belvoir Drive to build up to the new WSL chapter, which kickstarts with a visit to Liverpool on Sunday 22 September (2pm BST kick-off).
After what felt like a long break away from the action, City’s No.1 was delighted to pick up where she left off, having already made 32 appearances in Leicester blue.
“It feels good to be back,” Leitzig explained. “It’s been a long summer so it’s good to see everyone back on the pitch and in the building. There’s a few little things which are new but it’s all good.
“I know the Club more now because I’ve been here a year-and-a-half, but there’s always excitement because it’s a new season, with new players and staff so it’s a little bit different, but still a good mix of excitement and understanding of what’s to come.
“I feel like I can help the new players settle in because I’ve been here a while, and I understand what it’s like. It’s a good feeling because I had such a warm welcome when I arrived, so I want to pass that on to the new ones.”
Having become a more established member of the squad, the German shot-stopper believes she has settled in well to Leicester life, and is helping others to do the same.
Looking forward to a first season under new Manager Amandine Miquel, who joined the Foxes this summer from Stade de Reims, Leitzig admitted that there are new things the team are getting used to in terms of the coach’s demands.
She continued: “I’ve been adapting back to pre-season well, because of course you want to enjoy your summer at home, but I’ve been working still and staying fit. After such a long break, you look forward to the new season and getting back to the rhythm of it.
“We spend a lot of time in pre-season getting the game plan in and sorted; coming together as a team to work on new bits, so as soon as the season starts, I think it will become more natural.
“At the moment, we’re still trying to figure things out, and the Manager needs to tell us what she wants, which we’re trying to learn. But once the season is here, it’ll feel more natural.”
Wanting to push higher up the table and improve on last season’s 10th placed finish, the former Bayern Munich ‘keeper states that everyone in the building feels confident heading into the new season.
With a pre-season tour to Australia coming up very soon, where City will take part in the inaugural Perth International Football Cup, the 25-year-old believes it will be a great chance for the team to bond, while offering some excellent tests on the football pitch.
“Everyone in the team is really confident, and we have much more potential than we showed last season, so everyone is excited to show that,” Leitzig stated.
“We’re highly motivated and we’re not happy with how last season ended, so we’re wanting to prove ourselves even more in this new season.
“I’m personally so excited, because I love travelling and I’ve never been to Australia, so this is my first time. Of course, it is nice to go away with the team, because you get closer and get to know each other in a different context to on the pitch so I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s getting closer now and everyone is excited. Of course, we’ve got some good games as well, so they’ll be good tests for us. We’re looking forward to it.”