Freshman Dutch international Chimera Ripa is full of confidence and is not afraid of the encounter with the current leader in the Azerion Women's Eredivisie, Ajax. With a good plan and a healthy dose of guts, the Amsterdam native sees chances for PSV Women, the number two the league.
First of all, congratulations on your debut in Orange. How was it?
"Thank you. That was very special, a super nice experience. Hopefully many more matches will follow."
Now happy to be back?
"Yes, actually I am. Of course it was nice with Orange, but in the end I still prefer to be here to play football."
Is it hard to switch?
"No, not at all. Of course we went into the international break with a lesser feeling, but we sat down together and made a plan. Our noses are all pointed in the right direction again."
Is an international break also nice after the first defeat?
"On the one hand it is, a different environment which makes you subconsciously think less about the defeat. On the other hand you want to wash away that bad feeling as quickly as possible. You can only do that by playing a match. You had to wait a long time for that now."
Tomorrow a topper against Ajax. How are you looking forward to that?
"Full of confidence. It's a good team. They are first for a reason, but we have made a good plan so we are certainly not going to Amsterdam with fearful feelings. We do have to show guts and full commitment to get a result there because we really do come there to win."
All set for the last three games before Christmas?
"Yes indeed, but we start with Ajax. After that we'll look further and make a plan to play as well as we can against Fortuna Sittard and then Feyenoord."
Ajax Women - PSV Women starts Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN 3.