Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Melhus, Norway, 1998) left the cold and dark Wolfsburg for the sunny and warm Barcelona in the summer of 2021. She is passionate about coffee and confesses that she spends what little free time she has left discovering new coffee shops in Barcelona. After a season of adaptation, she has reached the best version of her this year, which has earned her a renewal with the Blaugrana club until 2025. She hopes to prove it today in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.
Is it difficult to adapt to the Barça game?
It took me longer than I expected when I signed. I spent several months understanding what they wanted from me and what my role was in the team. At first you think a lot, you analyze everything and you get frustrated when things don’t go smoothly.
What helped you in this process?
I’ve worked a lot, I’ve seen videos and I’ve had a lot of help from the coaches, but in the end where you learn the fastest is on the pitch. As I had more opportunities, it was easier for me to adapt. I gained more confidence towards the end of the season and this year I have made more progress.
What is it like playing with Aitana, Patri or Alexia?
Patri is intelligence and knowing where everyone is before even receiving the ball is incredible. Aitana is technical, and Alexia is the complete package. Patri may not have the same recognition as the others and I don’t know why. Because if you analyze the matches you can see how important it is and how much impact it has on the game. People should open their eyes to her.
Do you feel that you are growing by your side?
It’s incredible to be able to play with players like these, and when you feel that the relationship on the pitch is good, it’s a lot of fun. I am enjoying soccer in a new way now that I can play confidently with them.
And when he was at his best, he gets injured.
At first I thought it came at the worst of times because I felt really good, but then you have to change the chip and focus on coming back even stronger than before, so this is what I did.
How are you now?
To be honest with you, great, in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in and ready for what’s coming.
Giráldez has done many rotations this year. Do you feel that they arrive better at this stage of the season?
It will be very important to have fresh players now. These weeks we are not having two or three games a week and this also helps, but I do believe that the coaching staff is taking the rest into account to arrive with the energy we need. We have very good players who can come off the bench or start, we are very lucky.
Does the team arrive at its best?
I think so. I think we will be at a great physical level at the end of the season.
The first challenge: Chelsea.
It will be a great match against an opponent who is at a high level. They have kept the squad and they have great players who can do us a lot of damage: you have Sam Kerr in good shape, Guro Reiten, who I know a lot (from the national team), Pernille Harder is back…
Are there nerves?
I’m excited, but not nervous. The stakes are high and we want to reach the final. English football is growing a lot, but we hope to show that we are still the best.
And the return, in the Camp Nou and with the probable return of Alexia.
It’s going to be amazing. It happens when it happens, we are ready. I think we all see the image in our heads: Alexia back on the pitch. It’s something super special, and she gets goosebumps thinking about it. I can’t wait for her to come back and I will be very happy for her the day that passes.
You train with her every day, how do you see her?
After such a long injury it may take a while, but there is no doubt that he is doing everything he can to come back stronger. We have seen her work every day, how hard she has worked, the desire she has to return to the highest level. I have no doubt that he will come back very strong.
She shares a dressing room with several Spanish internationals. How are you experiencing the conflict you have with your Federation?
It’s sad because I think everyone wants to see these players at the World Cup. I am saddened by the situation and I feel sorry for them. I think it’s a personal decision how you feel a situation like this can be resolved. We see examples like this all over the world, and what you hope when players try to deliver a message like this is that they are heard, because they are footballers who want the best for their team. They want to play for their country, but they also want to have better conditions.
