"He has a good future with us"
The powers that be will decide how much of the prize money will be invested in the playing squad during the transfer window. Strengthening the team may happen, but players returning to fitness is also on the cards. Nine players missed out in Maribor due to injury and they won’t be back on the pitch until the new year. Meyer will certainly be playing a role this season.
“He has a good future with us,” explained Di Matteo. Chairman Clemens Tonnies also spoke about the 19-year-old: “He is a great lad. I congratulated him; we are both delighted.”
The offer of food on the flight back didn’t particularly interest the hero of the evening. Max Meyer sat in the corner and continued playing with his phone. Two hours after scoring the most important goal of his career, Schalke 04’s 19-year-old had a lot to share. “I was stood in the perfect place. After it hit the back of the net I was delighted,” explained Meyer after the 1-0 victory over NK Maribor in the Champions League.
The goal he scored is worth roughly €6m to the club. Meyer scored just six minutes after coming on to the field of play (62’). Chelsea’s victory over Sporting Lisbon confirmed Schalke’s progression. They have now qualified for the knock-out stages a total of five times, including three times in succession. The Royal Blues will be hoping to remain in the competition for longer than they have done in the past two years.
"Monaco or Porto – we’d have a chance to progress"
"Monaco or Porto", answered goalscorer Meyer, when asked who he would want Schalke to be drawn against: “We’d have a chance against them.” Schalke could be drawn against Real Madrid (who beat them 9-2 on aggregate in the last 16 last season), Athletico Madrid and FC Barcelona. “We are one of the best teams in Europe,” said the attacker.
Schalke’s final match took place in the smallest stadium in this year’s Champions League and Meyer’s role as a hero seemed a long way away at kick-off. Despite a strong performance in the 4-0 win over VfB Stuttgart at the weekend, was named amongst the substitutes and was: “a bit disappointed.” Captain Benedikt Höwedes explained that Meyer was “bitter” but added: “I told him that he could still make the difference.”
Meyer brought a fresh impetus
Di Matteo wanted his Schalke side to show more attacking prowess after the break and early in the second period brought on the youngster. “He came on and won the game for us,” beamed the head coach. Sporting director Horst Heldt added that Di Matteo’s substitution was a successful one.
After a stop-start for Di Matteo, who replaced Jens Keller on 7th October, his 3-5-2 formation has proved successful. The system has been used in four games and has worked: Schalke have qualified for the next round of the Champions League and have climbed to fifth in the Bundesliga. “He’s a good manager and know what he’s doing,” said Heldt.
"He has a good future with us"
The powers that be will decide how much of the prize money will be invested in the playing squad during the transfer window. Strengthening the team may happen, but players returning to fitness is also on the cards. Nine players missed out in Maribor due to injury and they won’t be back on the pitch until the new year. Meyer will certainly be playing a role this season.
“He has a good future with us,” explained Di Matteo. Chairman Clemens Tonnies also spoke about the 19-year-old: “He is a great lad. I congratulated him; we are both delighted.”
