Domenico Tedesco: “It's not a one man show!”

Domenico Tedesco on …

… last week’s training in Benidorm:
The conditions were terrific. The weather was good, and the facilities were directly in front of the hotel and the grass was perfect. We had everything we needed available to us to help us work hard and intensively. And that’s what we did. Offensively I thought we made progress. So I am looking forward to the start of the second half of the season.

… the friendly against KRC Genk:

Outside of the result I am very pleased with the week. We saw a lot of things that we had rehearsed beforehand. As well as that the players were able to get in some match practice before the Rückrunde.

… the debut of Marko Pjaca:
He was involved in a lot going forward and got stuck in with the ball too. I am completely convinced that having him well help us more. If he had not been injured then he would surely have played more at Juventus. He offers up a lot of different qualities and is fit. He gathered the game time in the second team and played very well in those games. The fact he has come to us 100% fit is a big credit to him. To be that invested in the under-23s means you have to have a fantastic attitude.

… the scouting system:

Whenever  we need a new player it is definitely not a one man show. Before we make a transfer we discuss a lot with each other. Scouts, coaching team, sporting directors. Everyone gets their point across and has a right to veto, if they have a particular craving to bring a specific player to the club. We all need to be completely convinced by a new signing. By doing this we gather a lot of information about the player. It goes way beyond just a sporting perspective. We also want to know what makes a player tick off the pitch, and what they’re like as a character. They must fit to Schalke.

… planning the starting XI:
It’s anything but a no-brainer deciding who starts for us. Every single player in our squad has the chance to pull on that blue shirt. It’s such a tough choosing eleven players to start every weekend. If everyone is fit we are spoilt for choice. Every one of them to a man gives everything and puts himself in the frame. The competition for places is a good thing for us and helps us to increase the level of our performances.