Riola Xhemaili is running a strong season in Eindhoven and has developed into a regular at PSV Women. The Swiss is playing with the team in a blistering title race and visibly feels in her place. "I came here to find the joy in football again and I succeeded," she said.
You are playing for PSV on a rental basis this season. How have you experienced your time in Eindhoven so far?
"I am enjoying it immensely. I came here to get minutes and I'm doing plenty of that. We have fun, a great team and we enjoy ourselves on the pitch. We are also competing for the championship and that makes it extra special."
Has it lived up to your expectations?
“Yes, absolutely. It’s always hard to gauge when you’re a new player coming from another country and a different league, but so far it’s been very successful. I’m getting my playing time, playing well, and have the coach’s trust—and that’s what matters most.”
So you really feel the confidence of the coach?
"I feel the confidence from the coach, but also from the whole club. PSV is a club where, despite its size, there really is a family feeling. You feel special here."
In what areas have you grown the most during your time at PSV?
“I didn’t get much playing time last season at VfL Wolfsburg. I came here to rediscover the joy of football—scoring goals, being on the field with my teammates. That’s the most important thing I’ve rediscovered here. The coach also knows exactly what he can expect from me, and I know exactly what to expect from him.”
And what can and should he expect from you as a player?
"I am a technical player, but also smart. In German they also call it 'spielintelligent'. I can head well and have a nice shot in the legs. But especially the technical aspect with good stabbing balls, suits me."
'When it matters, I'm not afraid to stand there'
How do you manage to stay focused now?
"That's not easy, because you're in the middle of the last three and at the same time the most important weeks. You have to stay in that focus and realize what you're playing for. It's been a lot of duels that also involve pressure, but the best weeks are coming up. That's my biggest motivation."
What is your role?
"I am not the loudest player on the field, but I can manage the team well. I bring positive energy and get along with everyone. Of course I'm a leader on the field and when it matters, I'm not afraid to be there."
What do j do off the field to stay sharp in the closing stages of the season?
"We have a sports psychologist that I talk to a lot, but I'm also really a family person. They often come to Holland to support me and that's the most important thing for me."
Now the penultimate game with Fortuna Sittard awaits. How are you looking at that?
"We have to dominate from minute one and everyone has to give one hundred percent. Fortuna Sittard has nothing left to play for, but they also want to win their games. We focus on the three points and are aware ourselves that we need to score goals. We scored a lot in the first half of the season, so we have to continue that. We can't do more than that."
The league match between Fortuna Sittard and PSV begins at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN 2.