Schürrle: A goal like that is always important. I’m not getting a lot of match time currently, which is why it’s important for me to use the time well. And I’m doing that. The coach told me that he was satisfied with my performance. He thinks my best position is slightly behind Auba (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). I accept the situation and I’m making sure that I’m in good shape and scoring goals when I do get the chance to play.
DFB.de: A 6-2 victory is quite a clear result, but Dortmund have already shown even better performances this season. How do you judge this win?
Schürrle: I agree with that assessment. We spoke about it on the bench during the first half. We said that we should be happy to have scored two goals and that Leverkusen are not using their chances in attack. It was an open game for sure. Leverkusen won possession a lot and marched forward, while we struggled to find our rhythm. But we do have a lot of quality in the attacking third and that paid off. We scored our goals at the right times.
DFB.de: After the game you spent a lot of time in Leverkusen’s changing rooms. What do you hope happens in Leverkusen, who appear to be struggling quite a lot this season?
Schürrle: I hope that they find a way through this crisis. They’ve often proven that they can earn consecutive victories, even when they have their backs to the wall. I think they are capable of that now as well.
DFB.de: One negative aspect from the Leverkusen game was the injury of Marco Reus. What would an absence from him mean for Dortmund, especially in regard to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Benfica?
Schürrle: Marco is very, very important for us – his runs, his assists and his goals. You can see that our game improves when he’s on the pitch, but he will likely be sidelined. We are able to make up for his absence with our quality, but he is certainly an important player not available for us.
DFB.de: Your friend Mario Götze is also sidelined for an unknown period of time due to a metabolic disorder. What can you say about his situation?
World Champion André Schürrle was a substitute during Borussia Dortmund’s 6-2 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Bundesliga matchday 23, but he made an immediate impact upon his introduction. He had only been on the pitch for four minutes when he was brought down in the area and converted himself to put BVB 5-2 up. The victory sees Dortmund close in on second place, after Leipzig slipped up in Freiburg on Friday.
On Wednesday they face Portuguese champions Benfica in the return leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. Germany international Marco Reus will miss the game, having suffered a muscular thigh injury towards the end of the first half of the match vs. Bayer 04.
In an interview with DFB.de, André Schürrle talks about his teammate’s injury, his converted penalty, his new role at Dortmund, the crisis at former club Leverkusen and Mario Götze, who is also sidelined from the action currently.
DFB.de: Mr. Schürrle, prior to receiving the penalty decision you went down inside the area following a challenge from Ömer Toprak and Wendell. Could you explain what happened in that situation?
André Schürrle: I saw Wendell’s foot approaching and felt contact. I didn’t know if the referee would’ve given the penalty if he hadn’t been standing in such a good position. I think it’s one of those penalties that you can give, but you don’t have to.
DFB.de: Leverkusen’s keeper Bernd Leno almost managed to save your penalty attempt. You played together at Bayer 04 and in the national team. Did that play a role in that situation?
Schürrle: Yes of course, he knows me (laughs). It’s my preferred corner and he knew it. I thought about going the other way, but settled on just placing a firm shot into the corner. Thankfully it went in.
DFB.de: How important was that goal for you personally?
Schürrle: A goal like that is always important. I’m not getting a lot of match time currently, which is why it’s important for me to use the time well. And I’m doing that. The coach told me that he was satisfied with my performance. He thinks my best position is slightly behind Auba (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). I accept the situation and I’m making sure that I’m in good shape and scoring goals when I do get the chance to play.
DFB.de: A 6-2 victory is quite a clear result, but Dortmund have already shown even better performances this season. How do you judge this win?
Schürrle: I agree with that assessment. We spoke about it on the bench during the first half. We said that we should be happy to have scored two goals and that Leverkusen are not using their chances in attack. It was an open game for sure. Leverkusen won possession a lot and marched forward, while we struggled to find our rhythm. But we do have a lot of quality in the attacking third and that paid off. We scored our goals at the right times.
DFB.de: After the game you spent a lot of time in Leverkusen’s changing rooms. What do you hope happens in Leverkusen, who appear to be struggling quite a lot this season?
Schürrle: I hope that they find a way through this crisis. They’ve often proven that they can earn consecutive victories, even when they have their backs to the wall. I think they are capable of that now as well.
DFB.de: One negative aspect from the Leverkusen game was the injury of Marco Reus. What would an absence from him mean for Dortmund, especially in regard to Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Benfica?
Schürrle: Marco is very, very important for us – his runs, his assists and his goals. You can see that our game improves when he’s on the pitch, but he will likely be sidelined. We are able to make up for his absence with our quality, but he is certainly an important player not available for us.
DFB.de: Your friend Mario Götze is also sidelined for an unknown period of time due to a metabolic disorder. What can you say about his situation?
Schürrle: I don’t have to say much about that. He knows that we all support him. We should simply give him some space now and everyone should respect that.
