After a year and a half, Bayer’s Patrik Schick is back in the Czech Republic national team. In an extensive interview on Czech television, the attacker spoke about this season, the new cohesion in Leverkusen and his future
His tale of woe is well known: for months he was plagued by adductor problems. And so Patrik Schick had to wait almost a year and a half before he was allowed to return to the Czech national team. National coach Ivan Hasek nominated the Bayer 04 striker for the recently concluded training course and started him against Norway (2:1) and Armenia (2:1). And although Schick did not score in these duels, it must have been a great joy for him.
In the Czech Republic, they watch their striker, see what he does in Germany, how he rushes from victory to victory with the Werkself. It therefore comes as no surprise that the 28-year-old had to provide extensive information about Bayer in a recent in-depth interview on Czech television
Schick and the near defeat
One topic was the new cohesion in Leverkusen. “In the first few years, the dressing room was divided into groups – Europe, Africa, South America.” It was “really bad”, Schick revealed: “And you could also see that on the pitch. We weren’t united, we didn’t work as a team.” At least not the way it has been seen since this season. It is “the best team” since he signed for Bayer, says Schick. “The results match that.” The Werkself have been unbeaten in 38 competitive matches.
The fact that this streak continues is largely down to Schick himself. His two late goals in stoppage time against Qarabag Agdam secured a 3-2 win and a place in the Europa League quarter-finals. His 52-meter finish against Scotland at the 2021 European Championship was his “most beautiful goal”, but these two goals against Qarabaq were the “most important” for him. Especially as they extended the unbeaten streak. “We wanted to extend that,” said Schick.
“Of course you can lose against Dortmund, Bayern or Stuttgart,” he says, “but if the streak against Qarabag had been broken, we would have racked our brains.” The spectators would have held their breath against Qarabag, they would have driven the Werkself on. “And when I scored the second goal, the euphoria was incredible. It was wonderful, I’ll remember that. I can’t remember the atmosphere in Leverkusen ever being like that,” says Schick.
What does he think of Xabi Alonso’s future? The coach is known to be in demand. “There is a lot of speculation. There’s a saying in the Czech Republic that there’s a grain of truth in every rumor.” That’s why he says: “Yes, it’s possible that the coach will leave us after the season.” And the Bayer professional explains: “We expect that there will be another coach in Leverkusen for the new season.” However, Schick may be surprised, as there have recently been more and more reports that the Basque is leaning towards staying
Schick doesn’t want to stay in Leverkusen forever
The attacker himself is still employed by Bayer until the summer of 2027. And he makes it clear that he doesn’t want to stay forever. “I’m still open to taking a few last steps in my career before I return to the Czech Republic.” He would like to try something else again, “I don’t know what exactly”. And there is no concrete information about when exactly. One thing is clear: Schick wants to win his first title with Bayer this year and represent the Czech Republic at the European Championships. He has already made a successful return to the national team
