Interview: Miranda on Schalke 04 loan, that Levante game & Barça return

Juan Miranda changed Barcelona for Schalke in the summer. The left-back left La Masia behind for a two-year loan in Germany. He's 19 but he's a quick learner. Ernesto Valverde singled him out after a Copa del Rey game against Levante, taking him off at the break. He had played every minute of the Copa until that moment... but he didn't appear again. 

You'll be 21 when the loan finishes. What do you expect from these two years?

I think it will help me mature. The important thing is to grow as a player.

Why the Bundesliga?

People spoke well of Schalke to me. They're one of Germany's big clubs and I am delighted to be here.

Rakitic spent four seasons there. Did you speak with him?

Yes, a little. He said it was good here, that it was a great club. A lot of Spanish players have played here, too.

You leave behind a brief spell with Barça's first team. Did it affect you being so young?

Yes, whether you want it to or not, Barça have the best players in each position and I am still really young for that.

You will get another chance in two years.

Yes, well... I don't want to think about that now. I want to enjoy this year and the time I have here. We will see what happens after, but I just want to enjoy the now.

What are Schalke 04's objectives this season?

They told me it was a tough year last season and things didn't go well, but that they have built a team to be at the top and, above all, to be a family. We will fight for the cup and, if possible, to get into Europe.

With you playing an important role... 

Yes, of course, but that's something you have to earn week in, week out.

You tried at Barça and, until that famous Levante game, things were going well. What happened?

We didn't play well that day, but that's part of being a footballer. In the life of a footballer, not everything is good, nor should it be.

Did it serve to toughen you up?

I think so, yes.

In what sense?

Well, you have to go through experiences like that to mature. If another game like that comes along, you see it coming and you know how to deal with it. 

Did you speak with Valverde about it?

Yes, he told me to be calm, that it was nothing to worry about

Did it affect your confidence?

Yes, to be honest, because it was the first time and I was so young... so it affects you a little. But the dressing room was brilliant with me, as were the coaches, and it's in the past now.

After going through that, have you been surprised by Ansu Fati?

Joder, I knew that he was doing really well in the youth teams, that he was working hard and was really good. Now he's doing what he was doing for the U19s and the U16s in the first team. I hope he's there for a long time and the supporters enjoy him.