Alexia Putellas: 'I feel 100%'

Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen appeared before the press ahead of the final training session for Barça Women prior to Saturday's Champions League final against Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. Under intense media interest, both players appeared optimistic before the showdown in the PSV Stadion. 

For Putellas the team has developed a lot over the last couple of seasons. "The development has been very positive in the last two years. We have better and more varied ways of playing, we are more adaptable and we know each other better," she said in the pre-game conference alongside here team mates and coach Jonatan Giráldez. 

The Ballon d'Or holder said she was "100%" physically after her comeback from injury and she maintained that it was "responsibility of each player to give 100%." Asked about how long she would play in the game, she was firm: "I feel 100%. How long I play is a decision for the coach." 

Alexia also pointed out the importance of experience. The game in Eindhoven will be her fourth final in five years for a team who still have fresh in the memory the defeat in last season's Champions League decider against Olympique Lyonnais in Turin. "The fact of playing so many finals in the last few years gives you experience and you know how to deal with the build up and the game itself. I think experience could be key," she added. 

The Barça captain also had words of gratitude for the Barça fans. Some 8,000 blaugrana fans will be present for the final in the Netherlands. "It changes a lot whether you have the fans close or not. They have answered the call and tomorrow we will feel their support at all times. I can't say that will make us win but it is another ingredient to get us closer," said Putellas. 

Graham Hansen confident in team approach

For her part, Caroline Graham Hansen highlighted the collective strength of the team. "I think the team is key. We have to give the best of ourselves and that's the only way we will win. We have to work as a team," said the Norwegian. 

Graham Hansen also reminded everyone that Saturday's game will be a special one for her as she spent five seasons as a Wolfsburg player. "I was there five year and I had a lot of experiences. The only thing I want to do is to go out and win tomorrow. I will be very happy if I can win against them," she concluded.