Comeback After a Year: Valentina Pötzl in Interview
In the away match against Blau-Weiß Linz/Union Kleinmünchen, Valentina Pötzl celebrated her comeback and at the same time made her debut for Vienna. Almost a year after suffering a serious knee injury, she finally returned to the pitch. In this interview, she talks to us about her journey back, her thoughts before the comeback, and her ambitions for the future.
How did football become your passion?
- I’ve been playing football since I was four years old. Since my father was a coach and my brother also played, I would always go along with them. I’ve basically grown up at the football pitch and don’t know it any other way.
You were able to play your first matches again in recent weeks after your serious injury—what did it feel like?
- I was a bit nervous before the first game, as it felt very unfamiliar to be back on the pitch after such a long time. But I was incredibly happy to finally be able to play again. It still feels a bit surreal to be back. It was an amazing feeling, and I appreciate it even more now to be able to play again.
How difficult was the time during your injury break, watching your team without being able to help?
- Rehabilitation has many challenging aspects, but watching from the sidelines is definitely one of the hardest. You see your teammates on the pitch while you can only support them from the stands. That can still help the team, of course, but you would much rather be out there playing yourself.
What helped you stay optimistic during that time?
- The thought of finally being able to play again and knowing that I had to give everything in rehab to return in the best possible way. I kept setting new goals and ticking them off step by step. I never doubted doing it—I always had the big goal of making my comeback in mind.
What role did your family and friends play?
- My family and friends played a huge role. My family always supports me and was a very important pillar during that difficult time. My friends also helped distract me away from football. It also helped that my best friend from the academy was injured at the same time. We were able to go through rehab together, motivate each other through every step, and now we’re both really happy to be back playing. We went through that journey together.
What advice would you give to other young athletes dealing with similar injuries?
- I’m still a young player myself, but I think an injury like this can be very educational. I learned a lot during that time and got to experience the other side of not being able to play. It’s definitely not wasted time—it’s useful time where you can focus on things you might otherwise not do. You should try to embrace that time and fully commit to rehab, because you know why you’re doing it. The better you work in rehab, the stronger you come back. So it’s important to stay positive and make the best out of it.
You joined Vienna in the summer—was it the right timing for you?
- It’s always difficult to join a new club while being injured. But for me, it was clear from the beginning that I wanted to come to Vienna because I already knew the family-like environment. I knew I would be in good hands here with my injury. The timing was right, as it also gave me the chance to get to know the team off the pitch.
How did you get to know the club and its environment?
- My first impressions came during the summer training camp in Burgenland. I wasn’t able to train yet, but I got to know my teammates. We also had team activities, and I attended every match, which helped me integrate into the team.
How do you like to spend your free time outside of football?
- There isn’t much time left. (laughs) I like to spend it with my friends at home and with my family. I also enjoy having some time to myself, which is otherwise rare in football. I like reading a book or spending time with my older brother.
What are your personal goals for the future?
- In the short term, I want to get back to full fitness, settle in well, and find a good rhythm. Of course, I also have bigger ambitions, like playing abroad one day, but those are topics for later. For now, I want to establish myself in the Austrian Bundesliga and show everyone what I can do.
