Just a few weeks ago, the US national team, led by superstar Megan Rapinoe, achieved historic success. After years of wage disputes, the women receive the same pay as the men. The US women had delivered the best arguments with four world titles, which the men can only dream of.
Zadrazil himself played at college in the USA and knows all too well the importance of sport for girls and women. “In the United States, football is primarily a women’s sport. Every little girl plays soccer, it’s normal. The men primarily play other sports such as football, basketball or baseball. From that point of view, women’s football is very important. Of course it would be cool if that were the case in Europe, but we are on the right track that women’s football is also getting bigger here.”
“Women’s football hasn’t got that far here yet”
But it’s still different, and Zadrazil is trying to classify that accordingly. “Megan Rapinoe and Co. are role models in the USA and stand up for what is important to them. It is impressive what they have achieved. But I take a somewhat more critical view of the issue in Europe. I don’t think we can demand the same as the men, women’s football is simply not that far,” emphasizes the 90-time ÖFB team player, who was part of the EM semi-final team in 2017.
In Europe, interest in men’s football is much higher, as can be seen from the number of viewers, TV contracts and merchandising. “I just can’t ask for the same as a Joshua Kimmich,” emphasized Zadrazil. “But what you could do would be to adapt the structures, for example where to play. If you take the next step there, it would be of great help to us. Or the transmission of the games: namely that you can simply watch games if you are interested in them. Those are the next steps that would be important to give us a better platform.”
Bayern women play in Allianz Arena for the first time
The next step will soon be taken in Munich, as the women will be able to play in the Allianz Arena for the first time on March 22 in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain. “It’s one of the biggest stages in Germany and also shows the appreciation of the club. It’s also appropriate for a Champions League game against PSG. I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a cool experience.”
Zadrazil moved from Turbine Potsdam to Munich in 2020, who became German champions in 2021. In the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, they only lost to Chelsea in the semi-finals. “In any case, it was the right step for me, also for my development. We find conditions that are really great for women’s football. And we almost exclusively have national players in the squad.” So this year the treble of winning the league, cup and Champions League is still possible. Compared to the English league, however, there is still room for improvement in terms of marketing and broadcasts.
The trained kindergarten teacher, who is currently also completing a trainer course and a second bachelor’s degree, has a contract in Munich until 2023 and can well imagine staying there. “There aren’t many clubs that are above Bayern Munich. Being close to my family is also important to me. But never say never, the other leagues are evolving too. However, I feel very comfortable here,” emphasized Zadrazil, who was named the first domestic footballer of the year in 2018.
Red Bull athlete wants Salzburg women’s team
The footballer, who is very close to her homeland, is also keeping her fingers crossed for the Salzburg men on Tuesday, although they are meeting their teammates from Munich in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. “Bayern are obviously the favourites, but Salzburg did a great job in the first leg and a lot is possible in football. If they manage to press aggressively again and put Bayern under pressure then something is possible. I’m hoping for a surprise.”
Zadrazil is the first footballer to be supported by Red Bull, but that doesn’t stop her from conveying a wish to the domestic series champions, namely that Salzburg also open a women’s department. “I think it would be the next important step for women’s football in Austria. I also believe that the potential has been recognized and I hope that steps will be taken soon. That would of course be wishful thinking on my part, so that Austrian women’s football continues to be helped.”
A good start to the EM year with the national team
Zadrazil, who made her debut in 2010, is an integral part of the national team. Most recently, she and her compatriots successfully attended a training camp in Marbella, where Romania (6-0) and Switzerland (3-0) were clearly defeated. “The game against Switzerland was meaningful because they are ahead of us in the world rankings, but they also had a few failures. Despite everything, we presented ourselves superbly and have seldom dominated against such a team before.”
It was the starting signal for a special year in which you fight for the premiere participation in the World Cup qualification. There is a key game against Northern Ireland on April 8 (8:20 p.m., live on ORF Sport +) in Wiener Neustadt. “We have to do our jobs and win. The first leg (2-2) was unfortunate, but we’re better and we have to show that,” emphasized Zadrazil, who hopes that her team will qualify for the play-offs second behind group favorites England and then make the leap to the World Cup train creates.
Hoping for the World Cup and huge anticipation for England
Even then, there is still a long way to go, the play-offs are multi-stage and only 12 teams from Europe will take part in the inaugural 32-nation finals in Australia/New Zealand 2023. The ÖFB women will be competing against the continental associations for the second time this year in the finals in England. Of course, the premiere will not be forgotten, which ended sensationally in the semi-finals five years ago in the Netherlands.
“It was a fairy tale. A lot is possible in football, everything is getting closer. If we perform, there’s still a lot in it this time,” says Zadrazil, who, with her colleagues under team boss Irene Fuhrmann, wants to improve in the last third, among other things, and not least wants to present it on July 6th. Because then you meet England in front of 75,000 spectators in the legendary Old Trafford in Manchester. “Nothing better could have happened to us, the opening game is a dream lot. Most of them will probably not experience that again, I’m really looking forward to it.”
