Elisa Pfattner dreams of the Champions League with Austria Vienna. © Raimund Nics

Pfattner dreams big: “The role of the underdog is our advantage”

With her move from Juventus to Austria Vienna, Elisa Pfattner opened a new chapter – and successfully. The Latzfons native immediately made a dazzling impression and is now aiming for the stars.

September 11, 2025

From: never

When the sun sets in Paris, hearts often beat faster. But on Thursday evening, it's less the Eiffel Tower glowing in the evening glow or the picturesque alleys of Montmartre at dusk that enchant us. No, on Thursday evening, romance will be revived in the very place where it has experienced so many highlights – on the football pitch. In the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League, Austria Vienna will face Paris FC (3:19.00 p.m.). Right in the thick of it: South Tyrolean Elisa Pfattner.

The Violets are underdogs at the Stade Jean-Bouin, but they are not afraid of this situation. "In the last draw, every club wanted us as their opponents because we seem to be the weakest in terms of our name," Pfattner explained in an interview with SportNews"The role of the underdog is our advantage. We have nothing to lose." Austria Vienna had already put an end to the supposed favorites in the previous round. And the Latzfons native played a major role in that.

Insider knowledge makes Austria fly

The trip to the French capital is unfamiliar territory for Austria Wien. At the end of August, the club made its first appearance on the international stage – and immediately made its mark. They beat Glasgow City 2-0 and FC Minsk 3-0 in the newly introduced mini-tournament of the second qualifying round. "I couldn't really judge Glasgow and Minsk myself because I found it difficult to compare Austrian and international football," admitted the 2-year-old, who provided two assists against Minsk.

Austria Wien has caused a sensation on the European stage. © Raimund Nics

Opponents from lesser-known leagues make preparation for the match more difficult. Before the showdown against Minsk, however, Austria received unexpected help. "There was some insider knowledge behind it," Pfattner revealed. "Glasgow was convinced they would beat us in the semifinals, so they were already preparing for the final against Minsk. But we knocked them out – and yet they were kind enough to give us their information. You don't see that very often these days."

Pfattner hits the ground running in Vienna

But the recent triumph wasn't just a special experience for Austria Wien; Pfattner herself was also on cloud nine. Her two-year loan to USV Neulengbach ended in June, and a return to Juventus was imminent. However, the South Tyrolean saw her future not with the Bianconere in Turin, but rather in the Austrian Bundesliga. Austria Wien expressed interest and signed the midfielder permanently. She immediately repaid their trust: In the first five competitive matches, Pfattner provided three assists, starting in each of them.

“I was a little scared about this step, but everything went well from the beginning.” Elisa Pfattner

"I was a little nervous about this step, but everything went really well from the start. I was very relieved – when everything is just right, you play with more freedom," said Pfattner. The Viennese team has set itself ambitious goals for the current season. "The championship is a big issue for us. Last season, Austria Wien were only a few points away from it," she said. The aim is to dethrone champions St. Pölten and, at the same time, to overcome the double burden. This would also be the case after a possible defeat against Paris: the loser of the third round of Champions League qualifying advances to the second round of the European Cup, which will be played for the first time in the 3/2 season.

Pfattner: “I didn’t just want to be a footballer”

Pfattner and Vienna – it's a perfect fit. Her move to the Austrian Bundesliga two years ago may not have seemed logical to some observers, "but I would make that move again, make the same decision," Pfattner emphasized. "In Turin, the idea of ​​going somewhere else became more and more firmly established in my mind – I didn't care what anyone else said." During her first year at USV, she still lived in Neulengbach, and in 2024, she finally moved to nearby Vienna.

Elisa Pfattner feels at home at Austria Vienna. © Raimund Nics

"I wanted to play more football again, enjoy it, and at the same time know that everything else was in order. I wanted to live in a city where I was doing extremely well off the pitch – and I already had a lot of social contacts in Vienna," she continued. "I didn't just want to be a footballer, I wanted to develop myself as a person, find new hobbies, and start studying." Pfattner is in her fifth semester of studying sports management and is already thinking about her time after football. "As a woman, you always have to have a plan B, and that applies to football too. After my career, I don't want to suddenly have to start from scratch," she explained.

Pfattner: “I will be eternally grateful to Juventus”

As wonderful as life is at Austria Wien and in Vienna, Pfattner will never forget her time in Turin. "I will be eternally grateful to Juventus for allowing me to take this step and immerse myself in this world at such a young age," said the ball artist, who transferred from SSV Brixen to Juve's youth team at the age of 16 – a formative chapter in her life. "It was a huge step, the transition was anything but easy," she recalled. "In my circle of friends, only one person spoke my language, and three years before graduating from high school, I suddenly had to switch to Italian for all my subjects. At the same time, I was supposed to have my mind set on football – that's no easy feat."

Elisa Pfattner will face Paris FC with Austria Wien. © Raimund Nics

But the Latzfons native mastered the challenge with flying colors. Always by her side was her cousin Eva Schatzer, who had joined Juventus at the same time. "Eva was a huge support to me and always there for me," she enthused. While Schatzer has already qualified for the Champions League with Juventus, Pfattner wants to take the first step toward the premier class on Thursday. And she'll do so with complete calm. "We don't know the pressure that Paris has to perform – we can only surprise them positively," she said, looking ahead to the upcoming matches.