Kenan Karaman: I’m going to give my best!

Kenan, pre-season is finally over. The new season starts tomorrow with a trip to Hamburger SV.
I’m pleased that it’s finally time to get started. Pre-season is obviously part and parcel of football, but I much prefer it when the games are competitive ones and I think my teammates think the same. Hamburger SV are an exciting and tough opponent to start the season with. I’m expecting an exciting game and we want to be the ones celebrating with our fans after it.

You just mentioned the fans. A lot of supporters are excited for the start of the season and the tickets for the away end at the Volksparkstadion sold out extremely quickly. How do you feel when you know that thousands of Schalke fans will make the trip to Hamburg with you?
Our fans are one of a kind. I can’t really think of the right words to describe their passion and support, both at the VELTINS-Arena and away from home. It doesn’t matter where we are playing, there are always Schalke fans there, just like there were for our training camp in Mittersill. It’s really amazing and gives us a real boost as a team. I’ve now been at the club for a year and the fans have completed topped my expectations.

One special moment in your first year was almost certainly your first goal for the club. You got the equaliser at home in the Revierderby…
That was the night that I finally arrived at Schalke. It was really emotional for me. That helped improve my relationship with the fans and gave me a real push ahead of future challenges.

The team couldn’t avoid relegation in the end despite a strong second half to last season. What are your targets for this time around?
Our aim is to return to the Bundesliga and we’ve been clear about that. I’m working hard every day in training and in every game towards this goal. Personally, I want to contribute towards promotion with goals and assists. We are definitely one of the favourites for promotion as FC Schalke 04. It won’t be easy though. We need to perform well in every game. A lot of clubs will be highly motivated against us and will want to beat us.

You know the second division well from your time with Hannover and Düsseldorf. What is the biggest difference between the top two flights of German football?
Games in the second division are more physical. We have to be up for the fight, but also look to use our abilities with the ball at our feet too. We have good quality in our team and we have to show it. Everybody must be prepared to give their all. The mental side of things will also be key. We cannot put too much pressure on ourselves – that can be an issue.

Aside from the opener against HSV, are the games against your two former clubs the ones you are most looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to every game, but obviously the ones against Hannover and Düsseldorf will be special. I played for 96 for four years and won promotion to the Bundesliga with them. Staying up in the Bundesliga with Fortuna was also a great memory.

You were part of the Turkey squad for the EURO 2024 qualifiers at the end of last season. The tournament takes place in Germany next summer and some of the games will be played in Gelsenkirchen. Are you dreaming of playing at the VELTINS-Arena with your national side?
My aim is to try and get into the squad off the back of good performances for Schalke. A good season here will increase my chances of being involved next summer. A game at the VELTINS-Arena would be really special, but my focus is only currently on S04 and our upcoming challenges, including the start of the season in Hamburg. I’m going to give my best!