“Back to my old home ground” - Bastian Oczipka interview

Basti, how have you settled in at Schalke since joining from Frankfurt in the summer?

Oczipka: “Very well. The squad are easy to get along with. There’s a feeling of a fresh start here. Under the new coach [Domenico Tedesco] it’s almost a ‘new’ Schalke and I feel really comfortable.”

Have you had to change your playing style under Tedesco’s system?

Oczipka: “I maybe have a bit more of an attacking role at Schalke and a bit more freedom, but it’s not been a massive change. I played in a back three, or back five, under Niko Kovac at Frankfurt, too.”

You become a father in October. Have you been enduring a few sleepless nights?

Oczipka: “Paul normally sleeps for five hours at a time. The record is seven hours! I’m thrilled, though: everything’s going wonderfully with the little one.”

What do you make of Eintracht this season?

Oczipka: “I’m pleased that Eintracht have already got so many points on the board. They’ve clicked very quickly despite lots of changes in the summer, as was the case in the previous season. Whenever I have time, I make sure to watch their games.”

You could come up against your old friend Timothy Chandler on Saturday...

Oczipka: “It would be strange, but very nice at the same time. We know each other inside out: every move and exactly how one another plays.”

Are you looking forward to hearing ‘Im Herzen von Europa’ again?

Oczipka: “Yes, definitely. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere and I’m sure I’ll have goosebumps when I run out. The Commerzbank-Arena is my old home ground, after all.”