Jule Brand has hailed the ‘good pressure’ that is part of the OL Lyonnes quest for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, as the record champions of the competition.
Brand is one of the most exciting young footballers in Europe. In 2022 she became the first winner of the prestigious Golden Girl award and just this last summer she impressed in Switzerland. The attacker nabbed four goal involvements and a place in the UEFA EURO 2025 team of the tournament.
Brand is only 23 but has helped her nation to a European Championship final as well as her former club Wolfsburg to the final of the UEFA Women’s Champions League even if both fell short. Joining OL Lyonnes feels like a step in the right direction towards achieving those major European and International honours.
Brand spoke to the media ahead of OL Lyonnes league phase clash with Manchester United, and The Halfway Line were present to hear from her.
Jule Brand says summer was ‘the right time for a new chapter’
Last summer with Jule Brand’s contract at Wolfsburg running out, there were few more in demand players than the German. In the end she elected to sign with French giants OL Lyonnes,
“When I left Wolfsburg, I felt like there’s the right time for a new chapter and Lyon’s one of the biggest clubs in Europe, in the world” Brand explained.
“They have the aim to win the Champions League every year. So I was very happy when I got in contact with them, the conversations we had, just like overall, I was really happy. That’s why I’m happy to have joined Lyon.”
OL Lyonnes are the record champions of the UWCL and Brand was asked if that meant added pressure?
“I think we, all the players, the whole club has to aim to win the Champions League” Brand affirmed.
“When I see which players we have, how we work, you know we have the ambition to win every game, to look step by step. And we know also it’s very, very difficult to win the Champions League, but we try our best, and work very hard to hopefully achieve our aim.
“It’s like a good pressure, it’s like everyone else is pushing each other to the limit to perform well in training and the games and just to perform good as a team.”
Brand excited for Dominique Janssen reunion
OL Lyonnes face Manchester United on Wednesday for the first time in a competitive fixture. However the match won’t be all one of firsts, it will see a reunion of sorts for Brand, who will link up with her former captain at Wolfsburg, Dominique Janssen, now plying her trade at the Manchester club,
“I like her [Janssen] a lot. She helped me also in Wolfsburg when I was in my first year. She was the captain. I was young, [one of the] young players” Brand explained.
“She was very open. Helped me to really [feel] welcome and comfortable in the team. And I’m very happy to see you her again on Wednesday.”
Brand looked up to Lyon stars when she was young
In the OL Lyonnes ranks are some of the greatest to ever play the game. Whether it’s the UWCL all time top scorer, Ada Hegerberg or two time UWCL Young Player of the Season Melchie Dumornay, the squad is oozing with star quality. And that’s before we even get to the iconic OL Lyonnes captain Wendie Renard. Brand was asked to speak on those talents,
“Before I moved here, before I joined the club, I knew what incredible players are playing here” Brand gushed.
“I was always looking up to them when I was young, when I watched my first World Cup, EUROs, I already saw the players, so I’m very happy to play with everyone.”
Brand ‘very happy’ with the prospect of a home EUROs
During the international break it was confirmed that Germany had successfully bid to host the UEFA European Championships in 2029. It will be Germany’s third time hosting the competition, and Jule Brand will be 27 when that competition comes around, in the prime of her career. The Halfway Line asked the German for her reaction to that news,
“I’m very happy that the EUROs will be in Germany!” Brand exclaimed.
“It’s nice that family can come easily to the games. I think we have big stadiums like, good atmospheres also I like the fans in the stadiums really good. And I think it will be a very good tournament, looking forward to it!”
Jule Brand got advice from Sara Däbritz prior to OL Lyonnes move
Brand was asked if her Germany team mate and former OL Lyonnes midfielder Sara Däbritz had helped her make the decision to join the club,
“Yes, I asked her, and she also only said good stuff about Lyon” Brand replied.
“Yeah, I couldn’t speak French before, so I also knew it’s gonna be hard, but I wanted a big challenge. I want to make this an experience so it’s a nice to learn French a bit. It’s getting better day by day. And yeah, [it] was was good to talk to her for my decision.”
After joining OL Lyonnes, Brand admitted that she does not drink coffee despite knowing how to order one being the first thing she learnt in French, has that changed since moving to a coffee capital of the world?
“No, I still don’t drink coffee, but I still can order one” she responded with a smile.
Where to watch Manchester United vs OL Lyonnes?
Watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champion League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions. Manchester United vs OL Lyonnes kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 10th December. You can tune in to watch live on Disney+ in the UK.
