Andrea Medina (Seville, 2004) is one of the promising young players who is right now ‘pulling the bandwagon’ for Atlético de Madrid Femenino. Despite being only 20 years old, she is a regular starter, and her self-confidence has made her one of the leaders in the locker room. This Wednesday, the colchoneras face Barcelona in the semifinals of the Spanish Super Cup, and they do not rule out a surprise.
How does Atlético face these Spanish Super Cup semi-finals?
We are excited, we know it is a new competition, we are going to go for the game. We are very focused and we hope it is our day.
The semifinals will be against Barcelona. Is it impossible to beat them?
No, I think it is not impossible. I think Atlético de Madrid is one of the teams that can stand up to him. We are going to go out and give it our all, thinking about the things we do well, and we are going to go to the death.
What are the strongest aspects of Barcelona?
FC Barcelona is the best team in the world, it is very difficult. We are there to stand up to them. They have their good things like we do and when the referee whistles everything will be seen.
And what weaknesses does Barcelona have?
We talk about these things in private, through video analysis, every day. That cannot be revealed yet. It will be seen when the game starts.
Which Barcelona player would you highlight above the rest?
The one I’ve faced, the one I’ve said “wow” to myself, is Graham Hansen. I don’t know if she will play, but if she plays she is a very dangerous player who, if I play or whoever plays, will have to be closely watched. And if she doesn’t play… it’s because all the players she has are very good, both Hansen and Aitana… But we are also very good, we are going to hurt them a lot.
“We are also very good, we are going to hurt them a lot”
Is it good for you that it’s a game in which you have nothing to lose?
In these games the mentality you have to have is that. We have nothing to lose, we have to go out and win it. As a footballer, I know that when you have nothing to lose and you go out to die, I think you take things with you.
What assessment do you make of the current season of Atlético de Madrid Femenino?
Everyone knows that we are in a bad streak, but hey, we are working hard to reverse the situation. We have had very complicated games, but this is a new competition in which we are going to give everything to get excited again.
What would it mean for the team to win the Spanish Super Cup?
That is the goal we set for ourselves in each competition, both in the League and in the Champions League. If we win it we will be super happy, super excited, then the League will come and we would have to be at the bottom of the cannon again. If we win, we are super happy because soccer players like to win.
-At the moment the Spanish Super Cup is in Spain. There has been talk that it could be taken to Saudi Arabia, what would you think if that decision were made?
I am focused on the match against Barcelona, which at the moment is here in Spain. It is an issue that the Federation will do what it believes is best. When it takes place our club will give its opinion. But we are focused on the next game.
You are 20 years old, but you seem like one of the veterans on the team, how do you handle that?
I think I am a person and a footballer with personality. I always try to help my colleagues. I try to be a good person and a good footballer, I try to get the best out of my teammates and for them to get the best out of me. If I have to give three voices on the field I give them, if they have to give me three I listen to them. I like that it is said that I look like a captain because I always want to help Atlético de Madrid.
“I like that it is said that I look like a captain because I always want to help Atlético de Madrid”
Atlético de Madrid Femenino are a very young team in general, do you think that youth is taking its toll on you?
No, I don’t think it’s youth. I think that in football there are good and bad streaks. I don’t think it’s age, I think that young women are there to contribute many things, veterans many things. And that makes a very good mix.
Usually, if he plays with four defenders you play as a winger, but if he puts up a defense of five you are left out. Could you play as a winger as well?
Me, wherever my coach puts me. I am open to him playing as a third center back, to playing as a winger if he wants or as a forward, as a goalkeeper… Wherever he decides that I can contribute the most to the team, I’m fine.
How do you rate your season on a personal level?
There is still a lot of season left to do. I think I’m maturing more every day. I’m trying to be a better person and footballer. I think things are not working out right now, but I think they are going to work out. I trust myself, the coaching staff, the players and everyone.
I have been told that you are the most active Atlético de Madrid Femenino player on Tik Tok, how do you handle that?
Yes, I am a person who really likes social networks. I really like tik tok, people know me a lot through tik tok because I do a lot of dances and stuff, but I like to say that I hope people don’t recognize me just for that because I’m a soccer player. That’s a hobby, both tik tok and instagram are hobbies. The important thing is my career as a footballer. My life is football and I want to be recognized for that.
Some videos in which it seems that you must generate a very good atmosphere in the locker room
I try to be a person who helps others, I am a very happy person. I don’t like being sad, angry or anything. You see me arrive and I am always with a smile and I think that is good because in difficult moments I spread it to my colleagues. Right now that we are going through a bad time, my personality helps everyone a lot.
In lower categories in Spain you have already won several titles. When can we see Andrea Medina in the senior team?
When they call me. I always say it, I work a lot for my club, I work a lot to be called by the National Team, now I am with the U-23. Every girl’s dream is to play for the senior Spanish national team. I hope one day I get that award while working and if I get it, I’ll enjoy it.
