FC Schalke 04 made their return to the Bundesliga perfect with a 3-2 win over FC St. Pauli. These are the voices of the S04 success:
Rouven Schröder, sporting director FC Schalke 04: … about the promotion and the return to the Bundesliga: “It feels like a state of shock. It’s unbelievable what happened today. Big compliments to everyone at the club who believed in it and supported the team. Everyone deserves it “To have that feeling. We’re all overjoyed. From 0-2 to 3-2 – that’s exactly what we need. The lads all believed in it. Schalke 04 is alive again.”
Peter Knäbel, Sport Director FC Schalke 04: … about the promotion and the return to the Bundesliga: “There are no words, just feelings. Great gratitude for this great backdrop, the fans and the staff. And respect for the competition. The second division was and is a really great league. It feels damn good.”
Danny Latza, FC Schalke 04 captain: … about the game and the return to the Bundesliga: “The game was really good. At half-time we said we could definitely score three goals. We believed in ourselves the whole time. We wanted it Definitely, and we forced it. We dreamed it. We’re going to turn night into day today. Today it doesn’t fucking matter. We’re going steeply without end today.”
Marius Bülter, FC Schalke 04: … about the return to the Bundesliga: “It’s unbelievable and you can’t even describe it. It’s just great.”
Mehmet Aydin, FC Schalke 04: … about the game and the return to the Bundesliga: “It’s very nice to celebrate with the fans. You can tell that we’re a family. That’s what they expected of us. We gave what they expected expected us. In the dressing room, we said we were going to shoot it. And we did it. Simple as that.”
Dennis Marsch, goalkeeper FC St. Pauli: … about the game: “It’s hard to put into words. We delivered a great first half with a good performance. The second half started crappy for us. After the penalty it didn’t go well anymore.”
Huub Stevens, former successful coach of Schalke 04 (before the game): … on the question of whether the Bundesliga relegation was salutary: “Relegation is never good. But there were too many mercenaries in the team. No mercenaries fit Schalke. Many good characters have now been brought in.” … about coach Mike Büskens: “Maik grabbed the team and the team showed life. That put them first. Maik is a man who preserves the culture of the club.”
Youri Mulder, UEFA Cup winner 1997 with Schalke 04 (before the game): … on the question of whether today will be a day as big as the 1997 cup win: “We are not sure, we are a bit nervous. But if it happens, it will be a historic day for Schalke. What the team has achieved , this is madness.” … about the factor Mike Büskens: “He did something incredible. He has the quality to get the right feeling out of the players. At this level it’s often not just about tactics and technique. It’s also about character, that Emotional and mental. He does that very well.” … on the question of whether the “Eurofighter” are lucky charms: “We are lucky charms, I assume so. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed. It’s important to have a positive feeling, it will work.”