First competitive game since February 2024
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This article appeared on the transfer market in its first version on February 26th. at 2:30 p.m. and was updated after the confirmation.
After three defeats from the past four games in the 2nd Bundesliga, FC Schalke 04 relies on a change of goalkeeper. Loris Karius (31) instead of Justin Heekeren (24) will stand in the box at the royal blue on Friday (6:30 p.m.). Trainer Kees van Wonderen confirmed previous media reports at the press conference on Thursday. The former Liverpooler only moved to Gelsenkirchen after half -yearly in mid -January.
For Karius, the game will be the first in the German lower house and the first competitive game in almost exactly one year. On February 24, 2024, he stood in 1: 4 Newcastles against Arsenal between the posts – one of only two games that he played for the Magpies. With 95 games for Mainz 05 and Union Berlin, the Bundesliga is still the competition in which Karius played the most games (31 times too zero). Karius played for the Iron Presuments almost exactly four years ago, on February 28, 2021, his last game in Germany to date.
“Loris has been with us for two months now. He gets better and better into his rhythm. We believe that he can now help the team with his experience. We all know what he has with all his years in the professional sector, ”said van Wonderen according to the“Kicker“The decision per Karius, which he also made himself. “Nobody said to me that you should do that or that,” replied the 56-year-old to a question. “I am there to make the difficult decisions. Of course I use information that I can get. But in the end I am personally responsible for the decision and also stand by it. “
According to the “Picture“The previous Schalke Stamm keeper Heekeren with a 64.5 percent goal shot in League two in 20th place out of 29. The 24-year-old was more often unsure about the goalkeeper change. There are competition for every footballer, “that affects the players, but also the goalkeepers,” said van Wonderen. It is “not an easy situation”, but: “Heavy decisions require you to fight your way back. That’s how Justin is. He is an incredibly great talent that will fight back. I’m sure of that. “