Montemurro & Boattin: "Vital to get off to a win"

LISA BOATTIN

"The victory against Sampdoria gives us a boost. Last night was a special night for me after a great season, but now we have to focus on tomorrow. Marcelo complimented me on yesterday's award, he made me feel very happy! Starting well will be essential for us, it's a difficult group and getting off on the right foot is important. We need to be focused on ourselves to bring home the first three points. I'm available to play in any position for the team. We want to establish ourselves more and more in Europe, last year was our first participation in the group stages and we want to continue to gain European experience and to do well."

JOE MONTEMURRO

"Tomorrow's three points will be fundamental, we saw last year how important it is to start immediately with a victory: the win in the first match of last season launched us. Zurich are a well-organised team, with important players. We will have to be attentive to everything, on the counters and when they have the ball. The attitude of the other teams towards us will certainly be different, we want to do big things and the others know this and will face us differently. It will be important for us to have humility, we want to be at the top and this year will be even more difficult. Lyon and Arsenal are favourites, but we shouldn't underestimate Zurich, they will want to put in a great performance, it will be the first time in the group stages for them and we also showed last year how much the difference the desire to amaze makes. We will have to be very careful, it will be essential to read all of the situations of the matches. We are waiting with open arms for Lineth Beerensteyn, it's not an easy time for her, but we gave her all our support; and Sofie Pedersen is doing well. I'm lucky because we have a good squad and the staff are doing a great job, the thing that struck me the most about this group is that the girls know they are ready for the huge games. Having players like Barbara Bonansea is important, I'm happy with her return to a great group that believes in her qualities."