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Dejan Ljubičić: A double title win that will stay with me forever
Dejan Ljubičić has had a unique season, with the midfielder adding two trophies to his cabinet. In an interview with schalke04.de, the 28-year-old discusses his first impressions as a Royal Blue, the game he feels defined the second half of the season and a personal double he will never forget.
Dejan, congratulations on winning the 2. Bundesliga title with FC Schalke 04. It’s now your second in a row. Would you call yourself a promotion specialist?
I’m very happy to have won promotion and the title again, this time with a great club like Schalke. It’s an honour. I managed it last year with 1. FC Köln, another big club with real tradition. To have done it a second time is not bad at all, I have to say.
When you joined in the winter, Schalke were top of the 2. Bundesliga. When did you realise this squad had the potential to finish the season there too?
Quite early on, once I felt the spirit within the team and that absolute desire to give everything in training and in games every day. That made it clear to me that a lot was possible and that promotion with this club was achievable.
Was there a particular moment when that mentality really stood out to you?
My first game away to VfL Bochum. We lost there, but there was no negativity at all afterwards. It was the opposite – we kept pushing each other and stayed positive. That’s the most important thing. We also had a strong connection with our fans from the start, so it clicked straightaway.
The game against Elversberg was very, very important for us. After that, I was certain we weren’t going to let promotion slip away.
Which game from the second half of the season would you personally single out?
I think the game against Elversberg was very, very important for us. We won it with 10 men, and that showed what this team is made of. After that, I was certain we weren’t going to let promotion slip away.
You recorded seven goal contributions in 15 games. Did you expect things to go that well for you?
What can I say? I came here to help the team with the strengths I have. That’s why Schalke brought me in. I knew I would have to play high-intensity football to do that. Ultimately, my aim was to win promotion and play in the Bundesliga next season. That’s where Schalke belong.
When you joined S04, you said football in Germany was something special to you. What makes it stand out in your eyes?
First of all, I had missed the stadiums and the fans here in Germany. I spent the first half of the season away at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, which is also a really big club. Even so, I wanted to come back because football at Schalke simply suits me: I love the pace, the sprints and the energy of the game. That’s why I’m very happy to be back in Germany.
Dinamo have been crowned champions in Croatia. You played your part in that too with 22 appearances in the first half of the season, meaning you have become a champion twice this year. How does that feel?
It’s a really nice feeling. Winning two titles in one season is an honour and something that will stay with me forever. For me, it has been one of the most successful years of my career as a footballer. More important than the titles, though, is that I am enjoying my football again at Schalke. To end up as a champion with both teams makes me proud. I recently got a message from Zagreb saying I’m invited to the celebrations there too.
How much have you been able to follow of the celebrations in Zagreb?
I have to say that my focus has been entirely on Schalke. But I’m still in touch with a few of the players from Zagreb. They’re really good lads. I’m very happy for the team and the people in charge there that they won the title so convincingly.
Next season will mark your fourth year in the Bundesliga. Which fixture are you personally most looking forward to?
There’s an easy answer to that: I’m really looking forward to the two games against 1. FC Köln. A lot of the players I played with there have left, but I still spent four years at the club. Those will be two very special games for me.
The summer break comes first. Will you be following the World Cup, or what do you have planned?
I’ll watch Austria’s games, but apart from that I won’t be watching much football. Now it’s about switching off and enjoying time with my family. I haven’t seen my loved ones much recently, so they’ll have my full focus.
