Despite his extra training, Schmidt explains how it took a little bit of time to get back into the swing of things in the pre-season friendlies: “I wasn’t very happy with the first three games and I couldn’t quite find my game. But it is perhaps normal that the thought of playing in the Bundesliga is a little bit daunting,” said Schmidt. “I dreamt of this as a child. We are a football mad family. We followed everything and always watched how the big teams play and how good they are. To be able to play in such a big league is just incredible. I will simply want to enjoy it and will try to play as much as I can,” he continued. The 24-year-old already has 14 minutes of Bundesliga experience under his belt, as he came on as a substitute against VfL Wolfsburg back in 2016. “Back then it was an amazing moment, but it was just a moment, as I came to realise.”
After making his debut, “Schmiddi” had to go out on loan a few times before he made it back into the squad. “I sometimes have to pinch myself because it has worked out like it has. I try not to look at the past too much. I am looking ahead in order to be as successful as possible with the team in the new season. I am unbelievably proud and lucky to be a part of it,” he explained. “I will take everything that comes my way from now. We will have to see whether I am in the starting XI, on the bench, or whether I will have to push the team from the sidelines. It is a team sport and I will try to contribute to the best of my ability. I would prefer it if I can do that on the pitch but if it is as a substitute, that is also okay.” Schmidt is also not worried about the competition for places in his position: “We have a great squad and there is real strength in my position. But that is completely normal and we have back-up in every position. You notice in training how much quality we have and that is good for the team and for the season.” Schmidt’s goal for the season is “to do well as a team” and he explained how it can be done: “If we do our thing on the pitch and implement what our coach wants, then we’ll do well. There is a lot of potential in this team.”
