Janik Bachmann: My sons tell me how I should celebrate

Janik, you got the important opening goal against Karlsruher SC last time out and ran straight over to the fans to celebrate. What was the reason for that?
It’s difficult to say. It was just such an incredible feeling to score in front of 60,000 fans and I can’t really put it into words. The most important things at the end of the day are the three points and the crucial win.

When you scored the goal, did you already know how you were going to celebrate?
Not right away, no. I had previously pictured what it would be like to score and then run over to celebrate in front of the fans. I just let all the emotion pour out and did what my kid said I should do which was to “celebrate from the heart.”

Do you think after netting a couple goals already this year that you might need to come up with a signature celebration?
I don’t think so (laughs). I always ask my family how I should celebrate. My two sons have already fallen in love with football. That’s all they do all day. They tell me how I should celebrate so I perhaps get a bit of extra motivation from that to score for my little ones.

After netting the late against both Paderborn and Magdeburg, was the emotion of scoring so early on different for you?
The goal against Paderborn was a very emotional one since it was my first in Schalke colours. I hadn’t scored up until that point and it had been a while coming and I always want to hold myself to high standards. The goal against Magdeburg was less enjoyable because the result had already been decided but then getting the go-ahead goal at home was a really nice feeling since I knew in the back of my mind that there so much of the game to go and we could hopefully go on to score more.

Did you specifically focus on shooting practice during your recovery work over the winter break? If not, what do you think has brought on this newfound ruthlessness in front of goal?
I actually thought that I was pretty decent at shooting before that (laughs). However, I did do a lot of work on shooting in recovery work with Amin Younes. I jokingly said that I can actually strike the ball quite well so why can’t I find the net? For that reason, I worked on using my feet rather than heading, which is how most of my goals have arrived so far in my career. It was really pleasing to hit the ball well against Karlsruhe and that no one cleared it off the line.

You have been playing in a slightly more defensive position in the last few matches in comparison to previously. How do you find this new role?
I think the coach knows I feel at home in that dual pivot in midfield, where I can play box-to-box, guarding the back line  but also getting up towards to opposing penalty area and showcasing my strong running abilities. That’s my favoured role. However, I can also use my physical prowess to good effect when playing further forward and latching onto long balls. At the end of the day, I am just happy to try to help the team out wherever is needed depending on the game.

SV Darmstadt 98 are the opponents for Sunday, who you spent your youth days with before also making your professional debut for the club. What memories do you have from your time with the Lilies?
I have some very fond memories, especially from the season in which Darmstadt got promoted to the top flight. I was often included in first team activities and took part in both the summer and winter training camps. Ultimately, I never got my chance to feature in a senior squad while a youth player there but I was part of a very good youth A-team, which got promoted to the first division that same season.

Are you looking forward to seeing any old teammates on Sunday?
The goalkeeping coach Dimo Wache has been at the club for a long time and I remember him fondly but, apart from that, there aren’t many players who are still at Darmstadt, except for Fabian Holland and Tobias Kempe.

You missed the reverse fixture earlier in the season so does that give you added motivation now that you are able to face your former club this time around?
I was ill when we last played them but it was very good performance from the team to go 3-0 up. We then conceded that first goal just before half-time and when it went to 3-2 you could sense the uneasiness in the stands. It was frustrating, not being able to help the team out and that is one of the most annoying situations to be in as a footballer. I am therefore all the more determined for us to get the three points this time around in order to get even.

What personal aims do you have for the remainder of the season?
I want to stay fit and keep on working hard in order to help the team. I also want us to get as many wins as we possibly can in these last 12 matches and if I can bag one or two goals along the way then happy days.

After those 12 remaining matches, your first season with Schalke will have drawn to a conclusion. How do you see it having gone at this point?

Nothing everything has gone as we as a team would have hoped from a sporting point of view. However, for me personally, this has been incredible year and I am so unbelievably lucky to be able to play for a club as great as this. If we keep going as we have been in the last few games and especially in the most recent match against KSC, then we have every chance of registering a solid campaign.

What is most memorable moment in a Royal Blue shirt?
I would say that first home game against Braunschweig. It was a special day, winning 5-1 at the VELTINS-Arena on a Friday night under the lights and with the fans behind us. The goals I’ve scored are up there as well.