Dhe image of a giant white jersey was pulled up in front of the north curve, then tinted with blue smoke. It was a spectacular sight and at the same time a testament to how unanimously the fans still stand behind their club, which is currently struggling with a great many problems. “Give everything for Schalke” was the motto.
When the choreo was dismantled, the game of the bottom of the table against SC Freiburg was already underway, but there was a breakdown. The blue smoke rolled across the playing field and visibility became clouded. A pungent odor spread throughout the arena. Referee Christian Dingert even had to interrupt the game.
A beautiful but controversial fan choreography because of the burning of smoke pots
Quelle: Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Once the smoke cleared and the game resumed and ended, everyone could see clearly that no matter how hard the team tried, it would be very difficult for them to stay in class. It’s not enough to give everything. Even Thomas Reis couldn’t deny that. “The path will not be easy, you could see that,” said the new Schalke coach after the 0: 2 (0: 1) against SC Freiburg.
It was the first game under his responsibility, Schalke’s eighth defeat of the season. At the same time, it was also proof that the team, which is now five points behind a non-relegation zone, is only partially suitable for the top division.
Failed by their inadequacies
Anyone who had hoped that the mere presence of the new coach, on whom many hopes are pinned, could bring about a turnaround was disappointed. Because the royal blue list of defects is simply too long for that. “If I were looking for excuses, I would say: I need more time,” said the 49-year-old. However, he didn’t.
It was a “not undeserved victory for Freiburg”, explained Reis. After leading the first training session on Thursday, he tried to give the team a different direction. While under his predecessor Frank Kramer a kind of football damage minimization was often declared a maxim, Schalke should play football on Sunday: the opponent – a bit tired because of the intense 90 minutes expected against Piraeus on Thursday in the Europa League – run high and under pressure put. The Royal Blues tried their best – but failed due to their inadequacies.
Even with Thomas Reis on the sidelines, things didn’t go any better for Schalke
Source: dpa/David Indian song
“We needed something to get into the game. Then we changed a bit,” said Reis. As a result, Schalke would have “defended quite properly”, but did not manage to “play the counterattack opportunities that offered to the end, technically cleanly”. Shortly before the break, proper defending was over when the defenders one of the until then rather rare Freiburg combination did not intervene and Vincenzo Grifo was able to shoot Freiburg in the lead in injury time of the first half.
After the change, the guests were even more clearly superior. Schalke fought and ran – but they didn’t achieve much. No sooner had you won the ball than it was lost again. One of the consequences of this was Kerim Calhanoglu’s wild and unsuccessful attempt to stop Freiburg’s Jeong in the penalty area. Grifo converted the penalty kick to the final score (60th minute).
Technical design? Often “very bad”
It is the most urgent task to get the impurities out of the game. “We also want to work with the ball,” said Reis. There are alarming statistics currently showing the opposite. Axel Kral, who is said to be one of the organizers as a six, played 31 passes, 13 of them to the opponent. Such a quota is insufficient for a central midfielder – but also for his teammates who do not know how to offer themselves or to secure the ball. It was often the technical execution that was “very bad,” Reis explained. That has to be worked on.
The question is, however, whether it is actually possible to eradicate this through training alone? Doubts about this had already arisen during the first eleven games of the season, which Kramer was responsible for.
Thomas Reis is the new coach of FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04 is going through turbulent times. After the dismissal of trainer Frank Kramer, sports director Rouven Schröder surprisingly announced his immediate resignation. Now the Royal Blues have signed Thomas Reis as their new coach.
It’s just not because of the attitude that the Ultras had appealed to before the game. It’s a quality problem. Not only Reis, but also the board of directors, is aware of this. “We know we need to improve and we will. We will be able to act in winter and do something,” announced Peter Knäbel. After all, it’s about “keeping this great club in the Bundesliga,” said the sports director.
Little room for transfers
It won’t be easy. Christina Rühl-Hamers, the CFO, announced just last week that the one-year second division had caused significant losses. TV money alone was more than 50 million euros less in the club coffers.
Knäbel, who also has to do without the cooperation of the resigned sports director Rouven Schröder, has only limited scope for winter transfers. Part of the strategy is to specifically target the markets of some Scandinavian countries. Because that’s when the season will be over, there might be a little more choice there.
Freiburg’s Philipp Lienhart and Schalke’s Florent Mollet in a duel. But all will did not help: Schalke conceded their eighth defeat of the season
Quelle: Getty Images/Dean Mouhtaropoulos
By then, Reis will have developed a clear profile of the areas in which there is the most urgent need. At the same time he has to make sure that Schalke doesn’t lose touch and the team doesn’t lose faith. The support of the fans is extremely important. It is a good sign that the team was not whistled at after the defeat, but was even applauded.
“The spectators have a very keen sense, they know the situation,” said Reis. Before the World Cup break, there are still high hurdles for his team: next Saturday they are going to the much more successful co-promoted team in Bremen, followed by Mainz, one of the best away teams in the league, and finally Bayern.
The unity between the team and the fans must also continue afterwards. Otherwise Schalke would have even less chance.
