Blendi Idrizi: Being a box-to-box midfielder plays to my strengths

Blendi Idrizi has started each of the last four league games for Schalke, with his midfield run starting off the move for the opening goal in Aue last weekend (5-0). The midfielder spoke to schalke04.de about his role in the team, instructions from the coach and a chance for revenge next week.

Interview

26.01.22, 14:37

Blendi Idrizi

Blendi, around nine months ago you were still playing in the fourth division, but you’re now a Kosovo international and are an important part of Schalke’s first team.
This rise has been really great and I’m extremely happy about it.  I’m still going to need a little bit of time to comprehend what’s happened over the past few months.

You’ve started each of the last four games. How do you see your role in the team?
When the coach places his trust in me, I simply try to pay him back with good performances and I just give my best on the pitch. He tells me to show what I’m capable of. One of those things is runs in behind. It’s important that I have good control of the ball because I play in a position where it can be dangerous for us if you lose it.

You’ve been playing as a box-to-box midfielder this season. Do you like this position?
Yes, it’s the perfect position for my style of play. Being a box-to-box midfielder plays to my strengths.

I’ll earn that luck in front of goal soon enough.

Blendi Idrizi

You’ve made a number of chances for yourself in recent games, but lacked a bit of luck in front of goal.
I definitely need to work on my finishing. The important thing, however, is that I get into these situations in the first place. I’ll earn that luck soon enough.

We’ve got a friendly away at 1. FC Köln on Thursday. How will the team approach the game?
The match is about keeping up our rhythm and not letting up. I would have gladly carried on in the league. The game against Köln will be a tough test for us.

We have to attack and play at a high intensity, like we did against Aue. If we do this, we can reach our goal.

Blendi Idrizi

Up next in the league is Regensburg. They beat us 4-1 away from home earlier this season.
I was unfortunately injured for that game, but I can still remember how much this defeat hurt us. We definitely want to put things right.

We’re currently fourth in the table, with our aim still promotion. What needs to happen for us to return to the Bundesliga?
We believed right from the beginning that we could get promoted. We have to attack and play at a high intensity, like we did against Aue. If we do this, we can reach our goal.

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