Bundesliga
The opponent as a role model: Schalke must “defend better”
Malick Thiaw endured a debacle with Schalke and could leave the club. photo
© David Indian song / dpa
The first three games were okay, but on the fourth match day promoted Schalke experienced a debacle. Players, officials and fans are still calm.
The walk to the fans after the 1:6 debacle was surprisingly pleasant and harmonious for the Schalke players. They didn’t hear any whistles from the North Stand, no anger rained down on them.
“Let’s go Schalke, fight and win”, the fans shouted at the team. There was applause for that. The fact that the promoted team is still waiting for their first win after the fourth matchday doesn’t make anyone in Gelsenkirchen hectic.
Fans, footballers and those in charge have prepared for a season of relegation battles. The quiet is good for the team. The heavy defeat showed what Schalke urgently need to work on. The opponent can serve as a role model.
Two points from four games
“It’s a good lesson for us how Union Berlin plays. They follow their structure very strictly,” said central defender Maya Yoshida. The 34-year-old didn’t panic either, given just two points from four games in the Bundesliga. However, he named Schalke’s construction sites in clear words.
“We were too sloppy and too soft,” Yoshida said. “If we want to stay, we have to fight for it.” Coach Frank Kramer saw it similarly. “We have to defend ourselves better and assert ourselves – in front of our own goal and in terms of efficiency in front of the opponent’s goal, said the 50-year-old. “We have seen the physicality with which Bundesliga football is played. We have to get back to that very quickly.”
In addition to being used as a base, the organization of the players on the pitch must also be improved. Yoshida hinted that the team hasn’t fully internalized the new coach’s game philosophy. “We have to follow the coach’s structure,” he said.
Unsorted Schalke
In fact, Schalke seemed unsorted against Union at times and not well coordinated. The Royal Blues made numerous mistakes, especially in the center of defence, both individually and collectively. Central defenders Yoshida and Malick Thiaw, who is reportedly on the verge of a move to AC Milan according to media reports, had a very poor day.
In addition, the penetrating power was lacking in the storm. While the Berliners were efficient and hardly missed a goal chance, Schalke also missed good opportunities. Second division record scorer Simon Terodde is still waiting for a goal after his fourth game of the season.
The painful clear defeat against the current top team Union is now followed by two games against teams that should be more on an equal footing with S04. Next Saturday we go to VfB Stuttgart, then the small derby against VfL Bochum will follow as a kind of dress rehearsal before the big one at arch-rival Borussia Dortmund. It is important to put the debacle away as quickly as possible. Otherwise the promotion euphoria and self-confidence will soon be completely gone.
“How we come back after this game: That’s the key for the next two games,” said Yoshida. When asked about the impressive fan support given the result, the Japanese demanded: “We have to give something back to them.”