Returning to Germany: Antonia Baaß on Leading SGS Essen’s Promotion Battle

SGS Essen midfielder Antonia Baaß sits down to discuss her path back to Germany and orchestrating the rebuild of SGS Essen in the Frauen Bundesliga 2.Creative midfield engine and technical dynamo Antonia Baaß joins the podcast to share insider insights on her highly anticipated return to SGS Essen, taking her game to the next level, SGS's Essen's promotion race to return back to the top-flight of German women's football and returning to a club she left that is now in a different division, becoming a part of the team's climb back to the pinnacle of women's soccer.She shares what it meant to enter the international environment at just 15 years old, playing alongside the rising prospects of European football in the 2016 UEFA Development Tournament, where she starred in victories over Scotland and France. Given the stages of those matches, she shared how she learned how to navigate that pressure and having gone through those experiences, the advice she would give to younger self.Antonia also talks about her evolution as a player, reflecting on her initial 50-appearance stint with Essen before completely unlocking her potential at FC Basel, where she racked up an incredible 8 goals and 17 assists across 67 matches. She takes us into the locker room to discuss the delicate balance of pursuing a demanding Sport Science degree alongside her professional schedule, shifting between international leagues, and how her classroom knowledge directly impacts her personal approach to training, tactical thinking, and recovery.Antonia shares why the SGS Essen rebuild project was the perfect step for her current career phase, the exact mindset required to serve as a designated squad centerpiece after returning to a familiar club, and the profound pieces of coaching advice that altered how she views the game.Lastly, she shares what excites her about sporting director Daniel Kraus's ambitious vision for the future, what she believes it will take for the squad to achieve its modern goals, her long and short term goals for her soccer vision board, and so much more!Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!