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Soufiane El-Faouzi: We’re all pulling together
Ahead of the Friday night fixture away at Fortuna Düsseldorf (5/12), Schalke’s engine room Soufiane El-Faouzi sat down with us to discuss the impending encounter with his former club, where he played for two years at U23 level. “I’m looking forward to it, it’ll be my first time playing at Fortuna’s main ground. The atmosphere is going to be incredible with 10,000 Schalke fans right behind us,” he said confidently.
From 2022 to 2024, the midfielder donned Fortuna’s jersey across no fewer than 48 Regionalliga West appearances. El-Faouzi views this period as indispensable experience: “It was a really cool time when I played for their U23s. I was able to develop really well there.” He’s not looking to give the hosts anything of an easy time during the floodlit reunion, though. “I’m only thinking about Schalke. Our full focus is on solidifying our position at the top of the second division.”
I’m only thinking about Schalke. Our full focus is on solidifying our position at the top of the second division.
The side’s current position at the top of the table is “a reward for all the hard work that we put in week in, week out,” said the Royal Blues’ number 23. That hasn’t meant any drop-off in the effort and intensity in each training session, though. “We’ve not lost a jot of our ambition or drive, and we’re all pulling together,” El-Faouzi was keen to emphasise.
A constant fixture in the S04 starting XI, he alone has racked up a total distance covered of 174.5km across the first 14 matchdays of the 2. Bundesliga season, ranking him among the most industrious runners in the division. He’s not looking to let up any time soon, either: “As soon as that first whistle blows, my head is immediately in game mode – and simply put, I want to give it everything I’ve got,” he explained.
The unrelenting support from the Schalke fans only serves to motivate the 23-year-old to work even harder and cover yet more ground each game. “They’re just outrageous,” praised El-Faouzi. “Our fans just keep pushing us to the next level as a team. We’re so excited to see so many with us in Düsseldorf, and I can assure you – every one of us is more than up for the game.”
