Niklas Schmidt Interview

It was the midfielder’s first Bundesliga goal. “The likelihood that I would score with a header was not so high. I always imagined that I would smash the ball into the top corner from 30 metres.” Schmidt is forced to smile about his heading ability, “I’m also happy that it went like this. If I score with a header it’s also not bad, I am happy to score regardless of what part of the body it comes off.”

It was a goal that has given the 24-year-old’s reassurance: “Reassurance that I can play at the top level, regardless of the opposition. I will get opportunities, am able to play a part in deciding the game and can take the game by the scruff of the neck.” It is obvious that that the way the game went in Dortmund can give Schmidt, and the team overall, a push in the right direction, but Schmidt is staying grounded, “Despite all the euphoria from today we have to forget about Dortmund. We need to make sure that we continue to work hard and that we focus on Frankfurt. We have to maintain the self-confidence and the belief that we can win any game. We also know that we start every game at 0-0 and have to give 100% to be competitive.”