Danny Latza: It’s our reward for a season of hard work

“When you have the chance to win the trophy, you have to take it – and we did just that,” said Latza, elated after winning the 2. Bundesliga. “We’re all so proud to have got the job done. It’s the reward for the hard graft we’ve all put in over the season.”

A sensational end to the season under Mike Büskens, who took the role of interim head coach in March, saw FC Schalke 04 climb from 6th to 1st place in the league table, winning eight of their final nine games. “What we’ve done this season is just unbelievable. With nine games to go, it really looked as if we had almost no chance of getting into the top three,” said Latza, looking back on the last few weeks. “To have ended the season like this is phenomenal. It’s an end to the campaign that we could have only dreamed of.”

The league title, along with returning to the Bundesliga, is more than just the perfect end to a tough season. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions,” said he midfielder, who was affected by several different injuries which had stopped him playing over the course of the season. The main thing, he said, was to remain positive through the setbacks.

Zalazar’s wonder-strike amazes, celebrations for Terodde

Unfortunately, Latza was suspended for the season finale, so he was able to watch Rodrigo Zalazar’s sensational opening goal from over 60 yards, now nominated for Goal of the Month, from the stands. “I really had to take a moment and process it in my head – the goal was ridiculous!” That opening goal proved not just to be beautiful, but also crucial, said Gelsenkirchen-born Latza, who added that his team were not at their best in the second half, giving away too many corners – ten in all. At the end of the day, though, the performance was not the main thing, as: “We won 2-1; that’s what’s important.”

Simon Terodde’s late winner, just seconds after Nürnberg’s equaliser, was his 30th goal of the season – a cherry on the cake of this remarkable season. “He finally got his 30-goal season,” said Latza, delighted for our number 9, who secured a best-ever goalscoring season and the top-scorer’s canon with the goal.

The summer break is now here for the Royal Blues who are not off to represent their countries – it’s a time to look back on the season and enjoy the success from a distance. Latza: “To be right at the top come the end of the season was a dream for us all. The dream has come true!”