FC Schalke 04 reached the last 16 of the DFB Pokal after a thrilling game, in which the Royal Blues beat second-division side 1. FC Köln 6-5 on penalties. Sebastian Rudy not only impressed in the penalty shoot-out but also in midfield for last season’s runners-up.
The national team player was a marquee signing for Schalke after joining them from Bayern München in the summer. However, he has made a mixed start to life in Gelsenkirchen after not making an appearance in the first four games of the season. The 28-year-old speaks to DFB.de about reaching the last 16 and the difficult start to the season.
DFB.de: Sebastian Rudy, FC Schalke 04 are in the last 16 of the DFB Pokal. How happy are you with your team’s performance against 1. FC Köln?
Sebastian Rudy: It is always great to advance in the DFB Pokal. We did that and therefore I am delighted.
DFB.de: How tough was the game against the second-division side?
Rudy: You could see it yourself. Köln made it hard for us and are a good side. It looked as though we were going to lose the game but we took it to extra time. We came back into the game well and got a deserved equaliser.
DFB.de: You got the impression that it was going to be difficult for Schalke to get a goal. Did you start to lose hope that you would find an equaliser in 90 minutes?
Rudy: No. As I said, it was not going to be an easy game and when the score is only 1-0, you always believe you have a chance. Anything can happen, whether it is in the 90th or 94th minute. You are never allowed to give up.
DFB.de: How do you sum up your performance on the whole, especially after not making an appearance in Schalke’s last game?
FC Schalke 04 reached the last 16 of the DFB Pokal after a thrilling game, in which the Royal Blues beat second-division side 1. FC Köln 6-5 on penalties. Sebastian Rudy not only impressed in the penalty shoot-out but also in midfield for last season’s runners-up.
The national team player was a marquee signing for Schalke after joining them from Bayern München in the summer. However, he has made a mixed start to life in Gelsenkirchen after not making an appearance in the first four games of the season. The 28-year-old speaks to DFB.de about reaching the last 16 and the difficult start to the season.
DFB.de: Sebastian Rudy, FC Schalke 04 are in the last 16 of the DFB Pokal. How happy are you with your team’s performance against 1. FC Köln?
Sebastian Rudy: It is always great to advance in the DFB Pokal. We did that and therefore I am delighted.
DFB.de: How tough was the game against the second-division side?
Rudy: You could see it yourself. Köln made it hard for us and are a good side. It looked as though we were going to lose the game but we took it to extra time. We came back into the game well and got a deserved equaliser.
DFB.de: You got the impression that it was going to be difficult for Schalke to get a goal. Did you start to lose hope that you would find an equaliser in 90 minutes?
Rudy: No. As I said, it was not going to be an easy game and when the score is only 1-0, you always believe you have a chance. Anything can happen, whether it is in the 90th or 94th minute. You are never allowed to give up.
DFB.de: How do you sum up your performance on the whole, especially after not making an appearance in Schalke’s last game?
Rudy: The 120 minutes went well. I think I held the midfield down well and made some good tackles to help my team. I put in a good shift.
DFB.de: Do you feel more integrated into the team after that game?
Rudy: I definitely feel part of the team. You have to keep working every day to force yourself into the team. It is a long process and I need to take it day by day. I am used to my surroundings now and feel settled here.
DFB.de: What aspects do you have to work on at the moment? Your fitness or trying to gel with new teammates?
Rudy: I feel in great shape at the moment, I had to work on it a lot at the beginning but I don’t have any issues anymore. Schalke have different tactics to Bayern and have a different style of playing and it takes a while to get used to it. But as I have said, it is an ongoing process, you need to keep working in training and listen to what the manager is telling you.
DFB.de: Do you believe you can replicate the cup form in the league?
Rudy: We definitely hope so, starting on Saturday against Hannover.
DFB.de: You took the second to last penalty. Did you put yourself forward to take it?
Rudy: I was surprised that so many people volunteered to take a penalty. I put myself forward to take one and they gave me the sixth one.
DFB.de: What were you thinking when Timo Horn saved the first spot kick?
Rudy: I wasn’t worried. You just concentrate on the next penalty.
DFB.de: What makes the DFB Pokal special for you?
Rudy: The cup is brilliant, especially because of the knockout format. It is always special for us footballers. You want to get as far as possible. Every game is a fight and you need to put everything in to get the win. We did that today and come away as winners.
DFB.de: Schalke reached the semi final last season but narrowly lost to Eintracht Frankfurt. The Royal Blues have a score to settle this campaign.
Rudy: We need to see who our next opponents are first. Anything can happen in cup competitions, but on the same note, you can never write us off.
DFB.de: What has been your best moment in the DFB Pokal so far in your career?
Rudy: It is hard to say. I reached the final last season with FC Bayern. When I think about it, today’s game was not so bad. I really enjoyed it especially as we managed to get the win.
