Schürrle: "Chelsea would be good"

Wolfsburg have progressed to the Champions League quarterfinals. André Schürrle scored the winner in their 1-0 win over Gent yesterday evening and once again showed his form is on an upward curve. He was complimented by head coach Dieter Hecking, “He stood strong when he was being criticised. It was important that he believed in himself because many people would have fallen to pieces. I am really happy that he was able to give us emphasis in such an important match.” Straight after the game the 25-year-old answered questions from the press.

Question: Mr Schürrle, congratulations on reaching the quarterfinals. The winning goal was well worked.

André Schürrle: Yeah, Julian set it up wonderfully. The goal mostly belongs to him really, as he did all the hard work. I just ended up with the ball at my feet. It was fine by me (laughs).

Question: Also a lucky goal?

Schürrle: Not really a lucky goal, but you always wish for goals like that.

Question: You scored a hat-trick against Hannover last Tuesday in the Bundesliga and fired Wolfsburg into the Champions League quarterfinals this Tuesday. Is Tuesday Schürrle-day?

Schürrle: Who thinks that? (laughs) We’ll be playing again in the Champions League on a Tuesday evening. It would be great if it goes as well next time round.

Question: So it was an easy game tonight?

Schürrle: Yeah I agree. In the first-half, we didn’t do enough with the ball when we had possession, but we defended well. That was our main priority. Gent only had maybe one dangerous chance in the whole match. We were never really under pressure. We wanted to be solid and put in the hard yards. we had more space and In the second half and were able to play some better football. In the end we got through and did everything right.

Question: Did the team change anything at half time?

Schürrle: … Yeah, we did. We wanted the defence to be more stable and to have an extra man on the wing. As I said before, it was important not to concede, because we would have gone through with a 0-0 as well. It wasn’t the best game for the spectators to watch but we did the job and we’re through to the next round.

Question: What does Wolfsburg being in the quarterfinals mean to you?

Schürrle: I think that it’s a very big thing. It’s difficult to take it all in. Furthermore, it is a historical moment because Wolfsburg have never got this far in the competition. People all over Europe are more aware of the club, which is great for the whole of Wolfsburg. The competition is only just beginning.

Question: You’re showing a sharp improvement in form. How well do you think you are playing at the moment?

Schürrle: I always feel better if I score in matches such as this. It shows that I am still around, playing better and confident. I have to keep trying to push on, recover and live well. I think the team has changed a lot in comparison to some time ago. We are winning games and we’re fighting. Hopefully this can continue for me and the team.

Question: Did the goal symbolise that the attack with you, Julian Draxler and Max Kruse works well despite all of the criticism?

Schürrle: Of course. We all simply want to play together. We have a really good understanding and can definitely still improve. We still have games left, in which we can continue to learn more about each other, but it is already working well. You’ve also got to give us freedom so we can see where we play best.

Question: Do you have a particular opponent you want to face in the quarterfinals?

Schürrle: It doesn’t come into it, any team would be good. I think that we can do something against any opponent. You always have a chance over two legs. We simply want to have fun.

Question: Is there really no opponent you would particularly like to face?

Schürrle: Ok then, Chelsea would be good. I still love the club and it would be great to go back.