Kerem Demirbay: “Everyone must prove themselves”

You watched the first few matches of the season from the bench. Now you’ve been in the starting XI twice. Did you need time to settle in?

Kerem Demirbay: I didn’t feel that I needed any extra time to get going, I actually thought I was in good shape from the minute I came to TSG. The coach and his team viewed it differently and I accepted that, because I trust them 100%. Now that I’ve been picked, I have been able to show that I can help the team. That was very important to me. I didn’t view it as a negative not to be selected. Instead I worked even harder in training. I want to do my job well, give it 100% and get the maximum out of myself. 

You are still unbeaten after five games. What are you satisfied with so far, and what could you do better?

Demirbay: It feels good to be unbeaten. We are all on the right track but of course there is a lot we could improve. In terms of going forward, we need to be better on the counter-attack in order to create more clear-cut chances. We need to grow together and mature as a team. It is a process that will come together as the season continues.

After drawing your first four games, how did it feel to get your first win of the season? 

Demirbay: Of course getting the win was extremely important. It was not an easy game and we wanted to make sure that we absolutely did not lose, and that instead we picked up three points, so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Schalke now sit right at the bottom of the table whereas we’ve given ourselves some breathing space, which means there is a bit less pressure on us. But we’re not going to relax, we want to give everything in Ingolstadt so that we can get three points again.

You have a lot of competition in midfield at TSG. What’s your view on that?

Demirbay: Competition for places is healthy and good for every player. We are well-covered in every position and have a lot of depth in squad. Any player could end up sitting on the bench or in the stands. That will do us good as the season goes on. Everyone must prove themselves time and again, you can never put your feet up. So the current situation with competition for places is making everyone better players. 

You face Ingolstadt on Saturday, who are still searching for their first win of the season. How do you assess the match at the Audi-Sportpark and the opposition?

Demirbay: Ingolstadt are a good team and are particularly strong at home so we need to be up for it. We’re not taking any notice of the fact that they have not started the season well. We are feeling good and we’ll go there full of confidence. 

Should you get your first away win of the season, would you consider that to be a successful start to the season?

Demirbay: I can’t say. Of course if we get the three points, then we’ll be in a good position in the table. Six games, ten points – that would be great. Another win would also be fantastic for our confidence. But a good start means nothing if we don’t pick up any more points in the next 28 games. The season doesn’t end after the game at Ingolstadt, it finishes in May next year. That’s when it counts.

 

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