Schneider: Huge, that much is clear. To lose your opening game at home is not ideal. Especially as Valencia were the better team. They played very well in the second half, but switched off in counter attacking situations. However, they are a good team who simply lacks a bit of experience – they’ve got the potential.
DFB.de: On Tuesday evening, you attended the 4-0 Real win over Donezk. How do you decide which games to go and see?
Schneider: The first criterion is always the player. It was important to get a good overview of the whole squad after the matches against Poland and Scotland. For that reason, I have been watching a lot of Bundesliga, especially Bayern, Dortmund and Wolfsburg.
DFB.de: What are you looking for in the games?
Schneider: Primarily it’s important to judge the performance level of the player. In some cases, it’s about looking at a general performance and observing potential international players.
DFB.de: The focus is therefore on your own players.
Schneider: That’s true. We do though scout top international games, as we look to analyse the ideas of the top teams of Europe and to see how they play. That’s less frequent however.
DFB.de: Has it ever happened that you’ve not been aware of the result at the end of a game?
The air miles are ever growing. Thomas Schneider spends a lot of time travelling. The assistant manager watches many football matches and many footballers, Bundesliga over the weekend, and during the week the Champions League. On Tuesday, Schneider was in Madrid and on Wednesday in Valencia. The 42-year-old spoke to Steffen Lüdeke about his observations.
DFB.de: Mr. Schneider, you have just returned from Spain where you watched FC Valencia lose 2-3 to Zenit St. Petersburg. Did you enjoy the match?
Thomas Schneider: I witnessed a very good Champions League match, from both teams. The game was very intense, and Valencia were able to up the tempo in the second half. Unfortunately, they were hit on the counter - in the first half too. Zenit won the game at the end through a counter, even though Valencia were closer to getting the third goal. The level was very high, it was an interesting match.
DFB.de: And Shkodran Mustafi: How pleased were you with his performance?
Schneider: Valencia conceded three goals, which was certainly surprising. In my opinion, 'Musti' played very well, the loss was not his fault. It was important to see the player in his own club, and to see what role he plays within that team. He confirmed what I had already seen in Valencia’s match against Real in Madrid. Musti is a leader in the team, he talks a lot, and coaches his teammates on the pitch. There is no doubt he is a leader in Valencia, and he does so very well.
DFB.de: Did he know that you were in the stadium?
Schneider: Yes. I like to message the players if I travel to see them, either on Whatsapp or SMS. I think it’s fair that they’re aware. I actually met up with Musti, we had a chat after the game and analysed the match.
DFB.de: How big was the disappointment?
Schneider: Huge, that much is clear. To lose your opening game at home is not ideal. Especially as Valencia were the better team. They played very well in the second half, but switched off in counter attacking situations. However, they are a good team who simply lacks a bit of experience – they’ve got the potential.
DFB.de: On Tuesday evening, you attended the 4-0 Real win over Donezk. How do you decide which games to go and see?
Schneider: The first criterion is always the player. It was important to get a good overview of the whole squad after the matches against Poland and Scotland. For that reason, I have been watching a lot of Bundesliga, especially Bayern, Dortmund and Wolfsburg.
DFB.de: What are you looking for in the games?
Schneider: Primarily it’s important to judge the performance level of the player. In some cases, it’s about looking at a general performance and observing potential international players.
DFB.de: The focus is therefore on your own players.
Schneider: That’s true. We do though scout top international games, as we look to analyse the ideas of the top teams of Europe and to see how they play. That’s less frequent however.
DFB.de: Has it ever happened that you’ve not been aware of the result at the end of a game?
Schneider: It has happened in the past that I’ve had to think quite hard about the result of a game I’ve watched (laughs). Normally not, but I do concentrate fully on one or two players. How active is he? What is his body language? There are many things that I look out for.
DFB.de: Does this apply to players such as Toni Kroos?
Schneider: There are certain players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Özil, Toni Kroos and Jerome Boateng whom we know extremely well, and whose games we are familiar with. Usually we focus on players who have not played very much for Germany. We also like to show them that we are taking them seriously and that we are watching them. If it’s logistically sensible, then it’s always helpful to watch other games. For example, I went to Madrid on Tuesday to watch Toni Kroos.
DFB.de: How did you rate the match?
Schneider: The game was a lot tighter than the scoreline suggests, especially before the second goal and the red card. There weren't many chances before Benezema’s goal, not even for Real. The first goal was a goalkeeping error, the second a penalty that shouldn't have been given. The game was decided at that point. Real were very clever, just like Toni. It’s very impressive how much Toni dictates Madrid’s game. He is outstanding in central midfield for them.
DFB.de: The Champions League matches are a thing of the past. What matches are you planning to watch in the future?
Schneider: On Saturday I will go to Wolfsburg to watch VfL against Hertha. Then to Dortmund, where I will watch their match against Bayer 04.
