After returning to the Bundesliga, FC Schalke 04 had a mixed start to the season. After seven match days, the Royal Blues are in 14th place.
One win, three draws and three defeats – that’s FC Schalke 04’s record after promotion. The Knappen shouldn’t be completely dissatisfied with the start of the season – but there are still numerous parameters that need to be adjusted.
These are the biggest construction sites at FC Schalke 04:
Offensive motor at FC Schalke 04 falters
The biggest concerns for FC Schalke 04 are currently the offensive. The Revierklub have already scored eight goals, but only three of them came from open play.
In addition, Schalke have only created a measly 30 chances to score so far. Only VfL Wolfsburg (27) and FC Augsburg (18) are worse in this ranking.
A major weakness in attack is predictability. The Knappen’s game is very wing-heavy. The two strikers Simon Terodde and Sebastian Polter are always wanted in the centre.
The one-sidedness of the S04 offensive makes it easy for the opposing defenders. You will look in vain for a Schalke creative player who surprises the defense with brilliant ideas and throws them off the table.
The statistics of the penalty area show that Schalke’s plan of attack doesn’t really work. Both Terodde and Polter both scored once. Last season, the duo scored a total of 40 goals in the first and second division for Schalke and VfL Bochum.
Before the start of the season, coach Frank Kramer had announced that he wanted to play with both strikers on the pitch. “We have complete confidence in both of them, both are important players for us. They can create a force together,” said the coach.
But Terodde and Polter were on the pitch together for the first time: in the 3-1 home win against VfL Bochum for around 25 minutes.
Counters are scarce
FC Schalke 04 is also lagging behind in the transition game. It starts with pressing in midfield. The players often leave their opponents too far away, so that the pressing can easily be overplayed.
Without winning the ball in the opposing half, there are of course no counterattacks. Schalke averages 13 counterattacks per 90 minutes, putting them 14th in the league rankings.
In addition, Schalke only has one lightning-fast switch player in their squad in Marius Bülter.
In addition, the royal blue professionals did not seem completely fit or did not divide their strength properly. That was especially noticeable in the final minutes. Nine of the 14 goals conceded came in the second half.
Bülter admitted openly to “Sky” at the beginning of the season: “So far we’ve mainly had games against opponents who are very sure of the ball. You had to chase a lot. Of course that takes strength. You have to get used to it.”
Schalke lacks hardworking virtues
The physical inferiority of FC Schalke 04 should actually be made to be forgotten with the traditional hardship virtues such as fighting spirit, tough duels, passion and commitment. But little of that can be seen in the Knappen game.
After the bitter 1: 6 bankruptcy against Union Berlin, coach Kramer already chalked it up: “We have to start there, that we can assert ourselves better in these situations as quickly as possible. Be it in front of our own goal or be it efficiency in front of the opponent Goal. We didn’t do well, so we have to defend ourselves better.”
Dissatisfaction in the dressing room?
While FC Schalke 04 was considered a chaos club, especially in the relegation season, the Knappen environment currently makes a much more solid impression.
However, the Revierklub did not get through the start of the season without any negative headlines apart from the sporting events.
According to “Bild”, Frank Kramer and midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar are said to have had a crash after the coach complained about the Uruguayan’s fitness level. Zalazar vehemently contradicted the report. “I received a lot of news about an article. Everything in this article is a lie. I’ve never had a bad conversation with the coach,” the 23-year-old said in a statement on Instagram.
A report by “Sport Bild” also brings unrest to the Schalke environment. Accordingly, some players should be dissatisfied with their operating times. That affects Danny Latza, Alex Král, Thomas Ouwejan, Rodrigo Zalazar and Sebastian Polter.
In addition, Latza and Král are said to have caused trouble for those responsible before the Revierderby against BVB with black and yellow shoes or a car in the colors of their archenemy.
Lissy Beckonert