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Nikola Katic: Need to give it 120 percent
Nikola Katic found himself watching last weekend’s 1-0 home win against Arminia Bielefeld (6/3) from an unusual position – in the stands, instead of on the pitch. The centre-back was suspended after having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against SpVgg Greuther Fürth the previous week. “It wasn’t a nice feeling,” the 29-year-old said. “I was very nervous during the game, but very happy to get to celebrate with the others afterwards.”
Prior to last weekend, Katic had missed just one game this season, having been sidelined with a head injury against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. He had otherwise featured for the full 90 minutes in the other 23 league matches this term. Although the yellow-card suspension may have provided him with an opportunity for a deserved break, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is raring to return. “I want to be back on the pitch enjoying the feeling of playing in our stadium, in front of our fans,” he shared.
Mertcan Ayhan deputised for Katic last weekend, with the two having shared the pitch often in the first half of the season. “He’s a very talented, young player with a big future ahead of him,” Katic said of his teammate. “I talk to him a lot and support him and the other young players in every situation. That’s part of my role as an experienced player.”
The game against Hannover will be – like so many other games this season – a real crunch match, in which we need to give it 120 percent.
Katic is now looking forward to being with the team as they take on fifth-placed Hannover on Sunday (15/3). Their upcoming opponents are also vying for promotion and are looking to get back on track after a 2-1 defeat at home to last-placed SpVgg Greuther Fürth last weekend. “The game against Hannover will be – like so many other games this season – a real crunch match, in which we need to give it 120 percent,” Katic said. “We’ve shown our quality on enough occasions this season and will need to be ready to do so once again this time around.”
A privilege and “positive” pressure
The next few weeks will feature plenty of tough and exciting matches for Katic, with the season run-in in the 2. Bundesliga fast approaching, coupled with the World Cup play-off tournament. Bosnia and Herzegovina will be taking on Wales during the upcoming international break, as they seek to progress in hopes of remaining in contention to earn a spot at this summer’s tournament. However, Schalke’s number 25 is staying focused on the upcoming task at hand. “We’re only focused on Hannover and are taking it step-by-step. But, we have the best coach in the league and the best individual players, too.”
With so much at stake, it’s natural to also feel pressure from the outside – something Katic is used to. “Not many people have the privilege of getting to play for Schalke and the national team. That’s why I’m grateful to be in this situation. I’ve been working hard from the start in order to help us achieve our goals, so I see the pressure as a positive thing.”
