Leno: "My save was a bit unorthodox"
Bernd Leno: "The team responded in a huge way"
Bernd Leno was in the spotlight once again after Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 3-2 victory away to FC Schalke 04 on Bundesliga matchday 31. No wonder: the 24-year-old Germany international produced another fine display and kept his team in the contest and in the lead with several good saves.
Five minutes into the match, Leno saved a penalty from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and he has now saved nine of the 31 penalties that he faced - a higher percentage than any other keeper currently in the league. In the second half he made another spectacular save from Huntelaar. His coach Roger Schmidt praised his number one for the outstanding reflexes he displayed in Gelsenkirchen. Bayer 04 remain on course for a direct Champions League qualifying spot following their sixth straight win. We spoke with Leno after the game to talk about the dramatic encounter with Schalke and his ambitions for the European Championship in France this summer.
Question: Bernd Leno, your team secured a 3-2 victory despite trailing 2-0 after 30 minutes. Did you ever doubt that a comeback was possible?
Bernd Leno: These last few weeks have supplied us with plenty of confidence, so we didn’t feel disheartened after the first half. We collected ourselves during half time and told each other that if we were to score a goal, the atmosphere in the stadium would turn again - which proved to be correct.
Question: What exactly was said during half time?
Leno: We clearly addressed that our performance in the first half wasn’t good enough. Everyone saw and noticed that. But the team responded in a huge way in the second half. We scored three goals inside 15 minutes, which proved that the team desperately wanted to turn the tide in this match.
Question: It was a true top game. Did you enjoy yourself out on the pitch?
Leno: Yes, of course. For a keeper it’s great to get the chance to prove yourself. It was a lot of fun and managing the comeback made it even better. It’s like a holiday for us.
Question: Are you hoping to get nominated for the European Championship squad after performances like today’s?
Leno: I heard that DFB keeper coach Andreas Köpke was there tonight. I always try to deliver a good performance and I think the last few weeks have gone quite well, both personally and for the club. I hope that my name will be amongst the 23 that get nominated.
Question: Was this victory over Schalke a big step towards the Champions League?
Leno: Definitely. Schalke are now no longer a threat to us. We play Hertha next week, where we can secure another crucial victory, which has to be our goal. Once you are in third place with a healthy cushion, you don’t want to relinquish it anymore.
Question: How did you experience your penalty save? Did you know all along where Huntelaar would aim for?
Leno: There is always luck involved. My save was also a bit unorthodox, because Huntelaar paused during his run-up. I delayed my reaction a bit and made a short move into one direction, which may have put him off. Then I got a bit lucky, to make an unusual save.
Question: It was your first penalty save in two years…
Leno: That’s true, it was almost exactly two years ago when I saved my last penalty in Hannover. It was about time that I saved one again. I saved several in a row and then had this long spell of not keeping any out.
Question: You have more penalty saves to your name than any other active Bundesliga goalkeeper…
Leno: I heard that already. But if I’m honest, I’ve faced quite a lot of penalties too.
Question: Your save against Huntelaar in the second half was almost even better…
Leno: Another unorthodox save. It was just an unorthodox day for us.