Women's new signing Haim: 'Very harmonious and familial'

Nessi, how would you summarise your first few weeks at Bayer 04?

Haim: "The first few weeks have been really fascinating and exciting. I've met a lot of great people and I feel very comfortable here. On the sporting front, too, I've already learned a lot and developed. The way we play football is very intensive, which I like because it suits my strengths."

You were relegated with Nürnberg but then stayed in the Bundesliga. How happy are you that the move to Bayer 04 came off?

Haim: "The transfer had been on the cards for a while but a few things needed to be cleared up. I'm mega happy that I've been given the chance to focus 100 percent on football, which has never been the case before. I'm very excited about what the future holds."

What were the key factors in coming to Leverkusen?

Haim: "I had the impression from the beginning that everything  is very harmonious and familial here. When the offer came, I was really pleased. Those impressions have absolutely been confirmed. The training camp just after my signing also came at just the right time because it enabled me to integrate in the team straight away and spend a lot of time with the girls off the pitch."

Until recently you were working as a full-time teacher alongside your football career. How did you find that double workload and what's changed now it's gone?

Haim: "I love teaching, otherwise I wouldn't have done it, and after playing I certainly want to go back to it. I've always liked working with children - in the past I led a lot of football camps with young kids. The double workload wasn't always easy because sometimes the training sessions and matches overlapped with school, which I meant I couldn't always be 100 percent with the team. There were days when I had to get up at half-past five for school, stand in the hall for eight hours and then go to training. Really, I want to do the things that I do with 100 percent commitment, so that was an obstacle sometimes. Now I have a lot more time after training to concentrate on myself, the team and recovery."

How would you describe yourself on and off the pitch?

Haim: "As a relatively experienced player, I'm very open, always have something to say and try to help the young players. That also applies when someone needs to be picked up and carried along. I'm not necessarily loud on the pitch, but I'm a fighter who throws everything she has into contributing to success."

What are your sporting goals at Leverkusen?

Haim: "Because of the long break after the last league game with Nürnberg last season, I wasn't quite 100 percent. Therefore, it was important that I was able to regain my fitness here. I'm hoping for as much playing time as possible and I want to help the team to score goals here and there with my pace and my tackling."