Sané: Of course every player wants to play every game. For me, it was arranged beforehand as I have been involved in a lot of games recently, playing 90 minutes. It was reasonable for me not to start the match.
Question: When you look at the result in relation to the run you’ve had, do you think you could’ve won had the regular team played?
Sané: That could be the case, but I think that every played that came off the bench gave their all for the win. I also think the team that started could also have managed it.
Question: Would you say the way you scored your goal was something that you practice, or was it a spur of the moment thing?
Sané: No, it’s something you practice. The manager always says that wingers, and especially strikers, should pull players out of position and create space with their runs. I saw that space and Franco played me a great pass in.
Question: What does the result mean for the table after three games? You are in a very good position right now.
Sané: Of course. We are first, and that’s where we want to stay. But first of all, we have to focus on this weekend.
Question: That will be difficult enough…
Schalke are still on the road to the round of 32 in the Europa League, and after matchday three, they sit top of Group K. U21 international Leroy Sané ensured his team weren’t defeated, after being substituted on in the 61st minute and scoring the equaliser in a 2-2 draw just over ten minutes later. In an interview, the 19-year-old talks about the draw, his goal and the upcoming game on Sunday against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Question: Leroy Sané, what did you think of the 2-2 draw with Sparta Prague?
Leroy Sané: Of course we wanted to win the game, but we didn’t make that happen. We got a lot better towards the end of the game, and even after the equaliser had good chances. It’s a shame we didn’t win. We could have done more, but we are happy with a point.
Question: What would you put the fact that you didn’t win down to?
Sané: We started very well. Franco [Di Santo] got us off the mark early in the game, and after that we tried to put on even more pressure. We didn’t, however, keep our hold on the game, and it is then always a possibility that the opposition will convert a couple of chances, and they took theirs.
Question: When you, as a team, get the late victory against Hertha and then the late equaliser against Sparta, how confident are you about the upcoming week?
Sané: It gives us a lot of confidence and brings the team together. We know that we will always have a chance when things are not going our way, and we will not give up, but work harder.
Question: André Breitenreiter made several changes against Prague, and rotated the players. Now everyone wants to play. How did you feel about coming on as a substitute.
Sané: Of course every player wants to play every game. For me, it was arranged beforehand as I have been involved in a lot of games recently, playing 90 minutes. It was reasonable for me not to start the match.
Question: When you look at the result in relation to the run you’ve had, do you think you could’ve won had the regular team played?
Sané: That could be the case, but I think that every played that came off the bench gave their all for the win. I also think the team that started could also have managed it.
Question: Would you say the way you scored your goal was something that you practice, or was it a spur of the moment thing?
Sané: No, it’s something you practice. The manager always says that wingers, and especially strikers, should pull players out of position and create space with their runs. I saw that space and Franco played me a great pass in.
Question: What does the result mean for the table after three games? You are in a very good position right now.
Sané: Of course. We are first, and that’s where we want to stay. But first of all, we have to focus on this weekend.
Question: That will be difficult enough…
Sané: Yes, Gladbach are going well. They play really good attacking football. We must take care but we have prepared well in training. Therefore, I think it will go well as we are also on a good run. We will all be very up for the game I think.
Question: When you become successful so fast, the amount of praise you receive also rises. How are you coping?
Sané: Thank you very much, but I don’t think I need much more. I still have a lot to learn and I’m not really thinking about how well everything is going. I am happy and want to do anything I can to progress.
Question: When you play so well as a youngster, other clubs are always keeping an eye out. Do Schalke have to do anything to make sure they hold onto a talent like you?
Sané: Nothing at the moment.
