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Hasan Kuruçay: We're improving together in every single game
In Schalke’s home clash with SV Elversberg on Saturday (8/11), Hasan Kuruçay put away what would prove to be the decisive goal of the affair after just 04 minutes. The opener marked a statement performance from Schalke’s centre-half, who showed once again just how much he loves playing against SVE.
Despite starting at the heart of Schalke’s backline, Hasan Kuruçay displayed what can only be described as a striker’s instinct in the early moments of the game against the side sitting third in the 2. Bundesliga table. He walked us through his shot from 12 yards out, which was ultimately enough to secure three points for the Royal Blues: “I saw that Mertcan Ayhan played the ball long over the top, and I had a good feeling that Moussa Sylla would win the header. So I made the run in behind and managed to place it right into the bottom corner.” The secret to such a beautiful strike: “I played a lot of street football growing up, so trying that kind of finish is nothing special for me!”
Saturday’s winner now means Kuruçay has three goals to his name this season. In 2022/23, his best goalscoring campaign to date, the defender ended the season with four in total for Eintracht Braunschweig. “I have a number in mind,” said the 28-year-old with a wink. It’s no real surprise that a game against Elversberg proved to be a perfect opportunity for Kuruçay to creep closer to the mysterious target. Back in March 2024, he managed to put away an impressive brace against SVE in a Braunschweig shirt.
I played a lot of street football growing up, so trying that kind of finish is nothing special for me!
The defender was under no impression that Saturday’s game would be an easy one, considering the strength of the opponent: “Elversberg are a fantastic team, and probably the best on the ball alongside Hannover 96. That much was clear to us.” Kuruçay and his teammates were well-prepared and up for the challenge, though. “We defended well over the whole 90 minutes,” he said.
The statistics back up his claim in black and white: the Royal Blues didn’t allow the league’s most dangerous attacking unit a single shot on target. “That’s why we took all three points, which is an amazing feeling and always the most important thing,” emphasised the goalscorer. Kuruçay was once again able to rely on his teammates as Schalke recorded their sixth clean sheet of the current season. “We all have a great connection in the backline,” he grinned, before highlighting: “we’re improving together in every single game.”
For Saturday’s star man, there’s only one feeling that’s better than keeping another clean sheet with his teammates in the Royal Blues’ defence: “Dancing in front of the Nordkurve after a win is just unmatched.”
