Gosens: Schalke Belongs in the Bundesliga, the Journey Home Is Finally Complete

German international defender Robin Gosens, 32, joined Schalke 04 on loan this summer and returned to where his football dream began.

Gosens has played for several clubs and also holds a bachelor's degree in psychology.

As a Schalke supporter, Gosens discussed his childhood bond, Dzeko, Muslic, injuries and reunions.

Q: What do you feel after Schalke returned to the Bundesliga?

Gosens said Schalke is back where it belongs and he is happy to be part of its history.

Q: Why is joining Schalke so meaningful to you?

Gosens said Schalke gave him his football introduction.

He said he was not interested in football as a child until his godfather took him to a pitch.

Seeing the pitch for the first time sparked his love for football.

Gosens said he has always been a Schalke fan and now achieving the dream as a player feels special.

He called returning to Schalke a proud and unforgettable moment.

Q: What makes Schalke special?

Gosens believes Schalke's passion and fan culture make it unique.

He said Schalke represents hard work and a grounded mentality.

These values match his family background and personal beliefs.

Q: How did you view Schalke's recent years as a fan?

Gosens said the club experienced highs and lows before reaching another great moment.

He followed Schalke's promotion campaign as a fan and paid attention to Dzeko's arrival.

His career path prevented him from attending matches in person for years.

Having both fan and player identities now makes the experience more special.

He feels Schalke has regained stability and hopes to contribute.

Q: How do you evaluate Edin Dzeko?

Gosens said Dzeko is a role model both as a player and as a person.

He said Dzeko kept his humility despite many achievements.

Gosens hopes to maintain the same attitude in his own career.

He feels fortunate to be Dzeko's teammate for a third time.

Q: What was it like watching promotion as a fan?

Gosens remembered the promotion night and wished Max Rüffler good luck.

He said the match against Dusseldorf was meaningful and the team believed in promotion.

He felt Karaman's goal added a perfect ending to the achievement.

Q: What impact did promotion have?

Gosens said Schalke regained attention and returned to its proper place.

He said German football generally recognized the importance of Schalke's return.

He believes people wanted to see Schalke back in the top division.

The excitement continued into preseason and the team wanted to maintain momentum.

Gosens admitted there will be challenges but the team has clear goals.

Q: How do you rate coach Miron Muslic?

Gosens said Muslic's strongest quality is passion.

He said Muslic convinces players through a firm tactical vision.

Gosens appreciates that Muslic is demanding but also understands players.

He believes these qualities helped Muslic achieve success.

Q: How difficult was missing the start because of injury?

Gosens said the injury during preseason was frustrating because he missed preparation.

He said recovery is going well and he only needs match time.

Q: Do you agree the team has strong mentality?

Gosens said the squad has many leaders willing to speak up.

He said difficult experiences provide lessons for handling future problems.

Q: Will outside criticism affect the team?

Gosens said football changes quickly and players must focus on current performances.

He believes the team's character and commitment can block distractions.

Q: What are your expectations for the new season?

Gosens said the team must stay connected with supporters throughout the season.

He said losing matches cannot mean losing the fans' support.

He believes Schalke can stay in the Bundesliga and will fight for that goal.

Q: How do you feel about facing Union Berlin?

Gosens said he looks forward to returning to the stadium and meeting old friends.

He said he experienced difficulties there but also strong fan support.

He is excited to play again at a familiar ground.

Gosens explained that leaving Union Berlin involved sporting and family factors.

He said his family did not find a sense of belonging in Berlin and chose a change.

From a sporting perspective, he still views that period as very positive.

Gosens looks forward to the reunion and expects an emotional occasion.