Timo Baumgartl: Finally a game at Schalke goes in my favour

“I’ve played here often enough. My team were usually met with a chorus of boos,” grins the new signing from PSV Eindhoven. “This time it was different. I had the fans on my side. A game at Schalke finally went in my favour. The atmosphere was unbelievable and has definitely made me hungry for more.”

The 27-year-old, who had been recruited shortly before the season opener in Hamburg and hadn’t featured in the squad against last season’s third-placed side, made a successful debut in the S04 jersey on Saturday (5/8) against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.

Kaminski as a familiar face in the side

Baumgartl was composed in the build-up play, didn’t rush things and recorded 115 touches, the most in the team. “We had lots of possession and that’s where my strength lies. I’m a player who likes to get on the ball,” explains the defender.

His central defensive partner was a familiar face; Baumgartl had already played alongside Marcin Kaminski 42 times during their spell at VfB Stuttgart. “Of course it’s a positive when you know each other,” says Baumgartl. “We have a good understanding. Not only off the pitch but also on the field. I inherently know how he plays and he knows the same of me. It is true though that some years have passed since our time together at Stuttgart. We’ve both evolved and both grown older. It’ll definitely take a few weeks before I’ve learnt everything to do with the Schalke system.”

The former U21 international was pleased that his debut ended in a victory. “Three goals scored as a team, none conceded – that’s what a defender likes,” laughs Baumgartl. The margin of victory with a two-man advantage could have been higher, if one or two attacks had been played out more accurately, but the stopper also says: “When you’re leading 2-0, you don’t need to take any risks. Moreover, it was only the second matchday. It’s normal for not everything to go perfectly. Everyone knows that we’ve got things to improve on.”