Another number 1 at Schalke: Christian Gross declares Ralf Fährmann to be the goalkeeper. His reasoning is an unconscious slap in the face for the squad planners.
Back in the spotlight: Ralf Fährmann is again Schalke goalkeeper.
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They would have loved to celebrate their anniversaries with a win: Suat Serdar played against Hertha BSC for the 100th time in the Bundesliga and Ozan Kabak for the 50th time, while captain Omar Mascarell played his 50th Bundesliga game for Schalke 04.
But even under Christian Gross, the Royal Blues remain unsuccessful. The last S04 coach to win his first Bundesliga game was Domenico Tedesco in August 2017 against Leipzig (2-0). Huub Stevens lost in his two following engagements (0: 1 against Leipzig, 0: 1 against Bielefeld), Manuel Baum was also defeated (0: 4 in Leipzig), David Wagner got a draw (0: 0 against Gladbach).
“Ralf has more experience at Schalke”
Fährmann is already behind his important anniversary – in December he stood between the posts in the Bundesliga for the 200th time. And more games will be added. Because Gross has decided: Fährmann replaces Rönnow, who was appointed regular goalkeeper by Baum, as Schalke’s number 1. “Ralf has more experience at Schalke and as a leading player,” says Gross about the 32-year-old. “From my point of view, it communicates more, which is extremely important in our situation.”
His reasoning is (unconsciously) a resounding slap in the face for the squad planners: Schalke could have saved Rönnow’s obligation after the start of the season and should have better focus on other areas.
S04 really wanted a new goalkeeper – now it’s taking its toll
With the then Technical Director Michael Reschke as the driving force, Schalke had tried harder to sign a new goalkeeper instead of, for example, sensibly closing the huge construction site on the right-hand side of the defense – which has long been taking its toll. First Alexander Schwolow was to be signed, which failed, then S04 Frankfurt’s Rönnow fished in to give Markus Schubert in exchange, everything on loan.
Rönnow did his job well whenever he played (kicker grade average 2.86) – which was not permanently possible due to injury. But now he has to get back in line. It doesn’t need to depress him. The past has shown that something can change at Schalker Tor from week to week. If anything is permanent in this position, it is impermanence.
