Fabian Schär: "The fans have carried us"

Fabian, let’s look back a little bit to the last home game when you scored your first goal for TSG…

Fabian Schär: It was a special moment – my first Bundesliga goal. However, it was only the equaliser against Hertha. The fact we turned the game round and managed to take all three points made me happier than my goal did.

After the goal you looked up to the sky briefly…

Schär: It was a moment to think. I was simply happy for myself. It hasn’t always been easy for me this season as there have constantly been setbacks. That is why I really enjoyed that moment.

In Gladbach things didn’t go quite so well. What were the reasons for the loss?

Schär: Gladbach are a top team – and they have been especially impressive at home. That’s why we knew it would be a hard match. Nonetheless, we wanted to take something from the game. Our performance wasn’t good enough to do that, especially in the first half. Even if both of the goals were controversial they deserved the lead after 45 minutes. We made too many mistakes. After the break we did better, got a goal back and created a number of other chances. We were playing very well but then we conceded the third goal and then it was very hard.

On Saturday, FC Ingolstadt are coming to Sinsheim. What do you expect from the match?

Schär: We have to continue our good run at home. It is very tight at the bottom of the table and we need the three points. It will be a difficult match. Ingolstadt have had a good season and are horrible to play against. We noticed that the first time round this season. We have to do better than we did against Gladbach.

FCI head coach, Hasenhüttl, announced this week that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season. Is that good or bad for you?

Schär: We would be better focusing on our own game. I don’t think that the news will have any bearing on Ingolstadt’s performance on Saturday. The coach will continue all of his good work until the end of the campaign and will prepare his team well. I am sure of that.

Ingolstadt have confirmed their safety already. Their intensity might have dropped a bit knowing that they are safe...

Schär: Ingolstadt have reached their season aim, which was to beat the drop. They are professionals though and will want to continue winning. We have to do everything we can to stop them and pick up points. 

Striker Moritz Hartmann is on a decent run for the hosts. How do you stop a striker who appears to have everything going his way at the moment?

Schär: We won’t be concentrating on just one player. Ingolstadt are about the team performing and not just one player. We always do that.
You have picked up 13 out of a possible 15 points at home under Julian Nagelsmann.

How important have the fans been to this run?

Schär: It’s always lovely to play in front of your own fans. I believe we have had a real connection with them in the last few matches. We have continued to be successful and play good football at home. The fans can see that we are giving our all and drive us on. Above all, against Hertha they carried us when we were behind. The atmosphere was amazing. It really helps us in these situations. I hope that the mood will be the same against Ingolstadt and Schalke. It means a lot to us. We want to give something to the fans. They should want to come to the stadium and watch us play.

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