Sports
Aitana Bonmatí Prepares for Nations League Final Against Germany
Kaiserslautern, Germany – Aitana Bonmatí, the star midfielder of the Spanish women’s national football team, is set to lead her squad in the final of the Nations League against Germany. The match will take place following a successful run in the Eurocopa semifinals, where Bonmatí scored a historic goal against the same team. This time, she aims to repeat that success on a bigger stage.
“It’s something special to be here again for another final. We are grateful for this experience, and we must not take it for granted,” said Bonmatí. “We want to win this Nations League. Every match needs to be treated as unique, especially with this unusual two-leg format. We can’t afford to speculate too much; it may cost us dearly.”
Germany is viewed as a formidable opponent, having dominated European football historically. “They still motivate us, and we’ve only beaten them once in history during the Eurocopa, which speaks volumes about our team’s progress,” Bonmatí reflected on the challenge ahead.
The key to her success has been meticulous preparation. Bonmatí recalls the strategic discussions she’d had about the German goalkeeper’s positioning that helped inform her game-winning shot. “Knowing their strengths and weaknesses gives you confidence to go for it,” she explained.
Despite a tough experience in the Eurocup finals last year where Spain lost in penalty shootouts after dominating the tournament, Bonmatí sees the growth within her team. “We didn’t lose any games throughout the tournament, which is significant, and it shows how far we have come,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of learning from painful defeats.
With a new coaching staff led by Sonia Bermúdez, Bonmatí expressed optimism about the team dynamics. “We are happy to come to the national team again. Sonia’s approach is welcoming, and she connects well with us,” she said, highlighting the bond formed with teammates like Mapi León, who has returned after a troubling period.
Looking ahead, Bonmatí is committed to FC Barcelona, where she has played for over a decade, but remains open to future opportunities. “I’m still under contract with Barça, and they have made me feel at home,” she noted, while acknowledging the need for a bigger squad to compete effectively in high-stakes matches.
As Bonmatí prepares for the upcoming clash, she remains grounded about her achievements, stating, “Winning three Ballon d’Ors hasn’t changed me. I still enjoy the game and cherish my personal life beyond football.” With a focus on her team’s goal, she is ready to take on Germany and carve out new history for Spain.
