Omar Mascarell (R) of Schalke 04 vies with Vladimir Darida of Hertha BSC during a Bundesliga match in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on Aug. 31, 2019. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
With their first match after the Bundesliga returns a Rhine-Ruhr derby against Dortmund, Schalke captain Mascarell eyes a perfect start for the season's remaining nine games.
By Oliver Trust and Liu Yang
BERLIN, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Schalke 04 is well-prepared for the restart of the Bundesliga on May 16, said the Royal Blues team captain Omar Mascarell.
In a recent Xinhua interview, Mascarell said returning to action after the enforced break with a derby against Borussia Dortmund is the perfect comeback. "It is a big game. I know it is the biggest game for our fans," he emphasized.
To play without fans will be a bit different, he added, but the restart gives his team and him extra motivation. "We want to win this game and make it a perfect start with three points."
The 27-year-old Spaniard said players and fans couldn't wait longer to get back into it. He spoke about the importance of German football restarting again, but mentioned that games behind closed doors are a challenge for all involved.
The former Real Madrid youth graduate called the Bundesliga one of Europe's most competitive leagues, with up to 12 teams competing for continental qualification.
Mascarell said only having one week for full training is a challenge, as only exercise in small groups is currently allowed. Tactical meetings only started this weekend after full training was permitted.
"We all missed football a lot. I know that players want to play as soon as possible," Mascarell said.
GHOST GAMES
The midfielder called it an obligation to society to strictly follow the rules. "We all feel safe here because the Bundesliga is putting in great efforts and everything is going well," Mascarell said. "We will do everything we can to help our community in this situation. The players and the employees are united."
Mascarell called it essential to finish the season for the clubs and the German league. "We might see changes in professional football afterwards, but at present, we are concentrating entirely on the restart," he added.
Clubs and players have to accept the current changes, "as we do many things differently." In his eyes, players of all clubs ought to be happy as "this is the job we love."
As COVID-19 spread, new regulations meant empty seats during Bundesliga matches like this one between Borussia Monchengladbach and FC Cologne on March 11, 2020. (Photo by Ulrich Hufnagel/Xinhua)
DERBY AGAINST RIVAL DORTMUND
Mascarell spoke about the growing excitement of all players after weeks of hard individual training sessions. "We have done a lot of runs to be at 100 percent."
Players might gain motivation out of the fact that fans are staying at home to allow the so-called ghost games. For the Royal Blues, providing a positive result is more important than ever in order pay back their supporters. "They are at home and supporting us. We have to do everything to make them happy."
The Schalke squad is full of trust "for our football." The Tenerife-born footballer mentioned that the team is comfortable with current coach David Wagner, with the side's experienced players ready to guide the younger ones facing their first Rhine-Ruhr derby.
Amine Harit (C) of Schalke 04 loses out to Lukasz Piszczek (L) and Axel Witsel of Dortmund during a Bundesliga match in Gelsenkirchen on Oct. 26, 2019. (Photo by Joachim Bywaletz/Xinhua)
COACH WAGNER
The staff of Schalke coach Wagner have managed to create a healthy team spirit, which helped Mascarell get over the difficulties he faced in his first season after joining the side from Eintracht Frankfurt.
He feels comfortable at Schalke but is thankful to Real Madrid for allowing him to develop his skills and his personality.
Mascarell mentioned former Spanish international Xabi Alonso as his favourite player, saying the former Bayern Munich midfielder "was the best number 6."
The midfielder called Bayern's Thiago Alcantara his hardest opponent, citing the difficulty in getting the ball from him. In the Schalke team, he favors Jonjoe Kenny as his "best teammate." He called the Englishmen a friend, adding that he is keeping his fingers crossed the on-loan Everton defender will stay at Schalke for good. ■
