Jan Kirchhoff covered 12.4 km in FC Schalke 04’s 1-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in matchday 20’s opener, the most of all players on the pitch. The former Germany U21s captain put in a solid performance in defensive midfield, helping the Royal Blues keep a clean sheet. Despite the visitors having 69 percent possession, Roberto Di Matteo’s men only allowed them to have one shot.
After injuries and a long rehabilitation process, the 24-year-old is starting to get more and more game time, having racked up twelve appearances this season. Schalke decided not make his move permanent during January for a fee of €6 million. Nevertheless, the man on loan from Bayern München reiterated his desire to play for S04 beyond the end of the season.
Frankfurt-born Kirchhoff also talked about Roberto Di Matteo’s successful playing system, his preferred position and his ambitions at international level.
DFB.de: Jan Kirchhoff, what does it mean to beat a direct rival in the hunt for a Champions League spot?
Jan Kirchhoff: It was really important. We’ve finally proven to ourselves that we can keep up with our rivals, and that we’re better than them even. Last time we played Gladbach we lost 4-1, which hurt us a lot at the time, so to win 1-0 here is obviously very special. We have proven that we belong near the top of the table and that we want to claim a Champions League spot. We need to carry on working hard and win the next game to strengthen our position.
DFB.de: Was it hard work for you and your team to secure this win?
Kirchhoff: It was a tough battle. We had to really dig deep to come away with anything today and we’re delighted that were able to win. It was a really intensive and exhausting game, but we defended well for 90 minutes and hardly gave away any chances.
DFB.de: How would you describe Schalke at the moment?
Jan Kirchhoff covered 12.4 km in FC Schalke 04’s 1-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach in matchday 20’s opener, the most of all players on the pitch. The former Germany U21s captain put in a solid performance in defensive midfield, helping the Royal Blues keep a clean sheet. Despite the visitors having 69 percent possession, Roberto Di Matteo’s men only allowed them to have one shot.
After injuries and a long rehabilitation process, the 24-year-old is starting to get more and more game time, having racked up twelve appearances this season. Schalke decided not make his move permanent during January for a fee of €6 million. Nevertheless, the man on loan from Bayern München reiterated his desire to play for S04 beyond the end of the season.
Frankfurt-born Kirchhoff also talked about Roberto Di Matteo’s successful playing system, his preferred position and his ambitions at international level.
DFB.de: Jan Kirchhoff, what does it mean to beat a direct rival in the hunt for a Champions League spot?
Jan Kirchhoff: It was really important. We’ve finally proven to ourselves that we can keep up with our rivals, and that we’re better than them even. Last time we played Gladbach we lost 4-1, which hurt us a lot at the time, so to win 1-0 here is obviously very special. We have proven that we belong near the top of the table and that we want to claim a Champions League spot. We need to carry on working hard and win the next game to strengthen our position.
DFB.de: Was it hard work for you and your team to secure this win?
Kirchhoff: It was a tough battle. We had to really dig deep to come away with anything today and we’re delighted that were able to win. It was a really intensive and exhausting game, but we defended well for 90 minutes and hardly gave away any chances.
DFB.de: How would you describe Schalke at the moment?
Kirchhoff: It’s going really well for us at the moment with our current style of playing football, keeping things tight. This has been a very, very successful week for us and a fantastic start to 2015 against three very difficult opponents. We feel very proud to have finished this week with seven points so it’s going very well.
DFB.de: You’re at the heart of strong defence right now. Is Roberto Di Matteo’s system starting to fall into place?
Kirchhoff: You could already see last season that it suits us best. It was partially due to the players we had at our disposal and also because things got a little desperate. Now that we have players coming back and we finally have the luxury of being able to swap players around and play to different strengths, things are going very well. We’re working very hard on the training ground. We’re able to keep the pitch very small so that our back line is only 20-30 metres behind the strikers. That way we are able to keep the opponents away from our danger zone. On the other hand, even if a player is beaten, there is someone else in support to back them up.
DFB.de: How physically demanding is that?
Kirchhoff: It’s very intense, especially against a team like Gladbach who are good on the ball and move it around well. It creates a lot of space in front of the back five for the three in midfield to move with the ball. It doesn’t really work for an opponent to press high in the opposition half against this system. That means there are lots of gaps and that need to be closed down. That said, this is generally in an area where the opponents aren’t very dangerous. The opposition aren’t going to score from the half-way line so possession there can’t hurt us. It’s hard work and a lot of running, but it pays off in the end.
DFB.de: You have been playing in the centre of a three-man defence, but now you’re playing in front of them. How do these positions vary in the Schalke system?
Kirchhoff: In midfield, you obviously have to do more running and tackling, and there are more one-on-one battles. In the middle of the back three, you’re not quite a sweeper, but you’re the player who marshals the back three and covers his other two defenders. In midfield you’re more responsible for winning the ball back and dominating the midfield battles. Like I said, there’s more space.
DFB.de: You’ve not been fully fit these past few days. Did the intensity of the game therefore have a noticeable effect on you?
Kirchhoff: No, actually this is the first time that I have felt good physically for Schalke, without any real pain. I feel really fit after the winter break; the games aren’t taking their toll on me as much as in the first half of the season, so it was great for me today that I felt fine after such an intense game where I had to run so many kilometres.
DFB.de: Would you say you’re best used as a defensive midfielder?
Kirchhoff: I’m open to anything. I really enjoy both roles. I’m happy to be healthy and back on the pitch. I know everyone says that, but I don’t really care about the position I play.
DFB.de: Your performances in the second half of the season could be a decisive factor in terms of your future.
Kirchhoff:We all want to perform at our best and push ourselves to our limits. That’s what I try to do every weekend. I hope that improving my fitness levels will help me to do this. If I give it my all, I think I’ll be able to find a club that wants to sign me next year.
DFB.de: How much does support from your coach help you?
Kirchhoff: He’s really supportive. He has always selected me when I’ve been healthy and in a good shape. He’s stuck by me, even through the hard times. I’m grateful to him of course and I’m also happy that he appreciates my efforts.
DFB.de: Have you also had thoughts about playing for Germany again?
Kirchhoff: No, I’m far from getting an international call-up and I’ve not been thinking about it either.
DFB.de: Sporting director Horst Heldt said the team are a really close-knit group. Do you see it the same way?
Kirchhoff: I think we’re all becoming closer and we’ve done well to integrate everyone into the team. This is also reflecting on the pitch now. Everyone is happy to help each other out and is excited for someone else’s success. That’s what makes a successful team. I think team spirit grows simultaneously with success.
DFB.de: Would you be happy to continue playing for Schalke?
Kirchhoff: I feel comfortable here, both in terms of my development as a footballer and on a personal level. That includes the time when I was injured. I joined and was basically unable to participate in training for half a year, but had to focus on rehabilitation instead. It’s great that the lads still welcomed me the way they did and that we all get along so well. I’d certainly be happy about extending my contract here and staying with Schalke for a while longer.
DFB.de: But?
Kirchhoff: I know that life doesn’t always go the way I’d like it to and in the end it’s not really my choice. Therefore, I want to give everything I’ve got the pitch and convince everyone of my abilities. Then, we’ll be able to find a good solution.
DFB.de: Usually you hear things like the parties involved are in talks. What’s your current situation in that regard?
Kirchhoff: I’m not really part of those talks. These things are discussed on a different level, between Bayern München, Schalke 04 and my agent. I think I’ve done enough to stress that I’d love to stay here. I also told Horst Heldt that I’d be happy to stay with Schalke if the club would like to keep me and we can agree on the terms. That’s all I can and should say for now. From here on, it’s not really up to me. They keep me updated on what’s happening. But I’m also happy for them to surprise me.
