Game Ready: Jana Fernández

The recurring Game Ready Q&A, with Reshma Rao, catches London City Lionesses’ Catalan defender adapting after a summer departure from Barcelona and a Nations League title with Spain. Fernandez describes herself as a loud pre-match presence who dances and sings to release nerves, currently working through Rosalia’s and Olivia Dean’s albums. English kick-off times have cost her the pre-match siesta and left her with too much thinking time, so she fills it with board games, ping-pong, pool and darts. She avoids superstitions beyond stepping onto the pitch right foot first, visualises her positioning and passing beforehand, and unwinds afterwards at home, calling family who know little about football.