http://www.schalke04.de/1249.html?&tx_ttnews[backPid]=762&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=9113&cHash=13e50322a2Schalke just right, says Rakitic
A
host of top European clubs were after his signature, but ultimately
Ivan Rakitic opted for the Royal Blues. In this interview with
schalke04.de, the 19-year-old Swiss with Croatian roots reveals his
thoughts on his move and tells us what the first few days in Schalke
have been like.
His arrival in Schalke: "The first
few days of training have been very intensive. It's been very
strenuous. The players have made me feel welcome and I now feel
comfortable in the dressing room. I'm still living in a hotel at the
moment but I'm keen to find a flat as soon as possible. I'm having a
look at a few this week and plan to move in after our training camp."
Difference between Basel and Schalke:
"In Switzerland you'd never get 4,000 people at the first training
session, it's incredible. We usually had that many at our away matches.
You can tell Schalke are a big club with a long tradition. I'd even go
so far as to say that you won't get fans like this anywhere else in the
world. When you look inside the VELTINS Arena, you appreciate what
you've got."
Initial contact: "When I heard
Schalke were interested, I wanted to sit down with the club officials
straightaway. At this stage Schalke are exactly the right club for me.
A couple of top European clubs were already trying to sign me two years
ago, but I felt it was still too early. I wanted to become established
and make a name for myself in Switzerland first. Now I'm ready for a
top club."
Position on the pitch: "My favourite position is behind the strikers, but I can play on either side of midfield and also up front if need be."
Personal goals: "I want to show
the boss what I'm capable of, let him know I'm there. My aim is to
improve and be of use to the team. With a bit of time I'm sure I can do
that. There's some healthy competition in the squad and I'm looking
forward to fighting for my place."
Team goals: "We've set ourselves
some lofty targets, but that's how it should be for a club like
Schalke. The team finished runners-up last season and we now have to
prove we can maintain this level of performance. We want to challenge
at the top and still be in with a shout of winning the league at the
death."
The number 10 shirt:
"As a youth-team player in Basel and for Switzerland I always wore the
number 10 shirt. In the senior squad last year I had the number 17.
Because the 17 was already taken here I asked if it was OK if I took
the number 10. They said it was and so that's the number I've got now.
Your shirt number shouldn't be a burden. Obviously people will always
keep a close eye on the number 10, but ultimately I play football with
my feet, not my shirt number."
Comparisons with Lincoln: "I have
great respect for Lincoln. He achieved a lot with Schalke and I can
only hope to achieve a similar level of success. It's difficult for me
to compare myself with him. From talking to the media I gather he's a
sensitive kind of player. I consider myself more of a robust type of
player. Two years ago my former coach Christian Gross compared me with
Frank Lampard or Paul Scholes. But I find it difficult to comment on
that. That's for others to judge."
His friendship with Mladen Petric of Borussia Dortmund:
"I stepped up to FC Basel's senior squad when I was 17. At the time I
needed someone to guide me. Mladen took the job on and we became really
good friends. We keep in close contact, even now."
His decision to play for Croatia:
"It wasn't an easy choice to make. I was born in Rheinfelden in
Switzerland and I grew up in Möhlin. But even as a little boy I dreamed
of one day pulling on a Croatia shirt. I went with my feelings in the
end. The thought of playing for Croatia gave me more butterflies in my
stomach, it's as simple as that. I still have lots of relatives there
and I've spent most of my holidays there on the coast. But I've also
had some very good conversations with national coach Slaven Bilic."
Schalke's opening fixtures: Away
to Stuttgart first and then the derby against Dortmund at home: that's
a very tough start. But we have to play these teams some time and we'll
be ready. It's unfortunate for my friend Mladen that we play Dortmund
so early. He's welcome to come, but he'll be sent straight back home
again empty-handed..."
His goals: "I don't know if it's
just a coincidence, but last season I was often in the right place at
the right time. My very first league goal was voted goal of the season.
It was a long-range volley, one of my specialities."
Champions League: "We don't intend
to be easy meat this season. Our aim is to get through the group stage.
There aren't really any teams I desperately want to get, but to play
against Barcelona would be a dream come true."