Sebastian Polter: I’ve worked hard for an evening like this

It was clear to Sebastian Polter from the first day after the cruciate ligament injury that he suffered this January in a friendly against FC Zürich that he still wanted to play his part this season in the team’s fight for survival. “And it happened,” said the striker.

The 32-year-old celebrated his comeback this Saturday (29/04) in the 2-1 home win against Werder Bremen. “I decided that I would deal with this injury conservatively and wanted to build up muscle,” explained Poulter. “This went really well for me so it was possible to get back to running quickly and now to be back on the pitch.”

He made an immediate impact on his return to the pitch with his desire and was involved in both goals against the team he played for as a kid. “I am just overjoyed. My comeback after almost four months out, then three really important points, it doesn’t get better than that,” said Polter, before continuing, “I’ve worked hard every day these last few weeks for an evening like this.”

72 minutes had gone at the VELTINS-Arena before the attacker laced up his boot and put in his shinpads on the sideline. Not two minutes later, the substitution board went up and Polter was on. At this point, Werder Bremen were up 1-0 – but the ‘Knappen’ were piling on the pressure and had already had plenty of good chances in the second half.

Involved in both goals

With Polter and other substitutions the Royal Blues sought to make an impact upfront, and they equalised in the 81st minute through Sepp van den Berg, who was also celebrating his comeback after a long injury lay-off. Polter was not uninvolved in the Dutchman’s goal. He managed to knock on a throw-in from Marcin Kaminski to the goalscorer having won an aerial duel with Amos Pieper.

Schalke’s number 40 also threw everything at it at other moments and showed his commitment. Polter also played a decisive role in Dominick Drexler’s last minute winner, initially controlling a long ball from Kaminski and then laying it off Rodrigo Zalazar who provided the assist. Ecstatic celebrations and pure relief followed.

Polter suggested that the win gives the team an additional boost in energy for their upcoming games and the team have to take this momentum into the game against Mainz on Friday (05/05). There are still four games to pick up points in to avoid relegation. Four games where the striker wants to help the team with his desire and more good play.