Rouven Schröder: We now have a team that is growing together

Schalke had to settle for a draw despite having an extra man for the last 25 minutes in Stuttgart. The Knappen would have obviously preferred to have taken all three points, but nevertheless, there were more positives than negatives performance-wise in the eyes of Rouven Schröder – especially when considering the 6-1 loss to Union last week.

After Stuttgart’s red card in the 67th minute, Schalke increased the pressure on the home side, but did not lose composure, which impressed Schröder: „I liked the 26 minutes after the sending-off because it is incredibly difficult to immediately make the most of having the extra man. We controlled the game, didn’t allow the opposition any serious chances and kept our heads.” Frank Kramer’s side had three chances to win, but it wasn’t to be in the end, causing some disappointment at the final whistle.

The Schalke fans in the away end, who once again provided outstanding support, rallied behind their team once more. „Keep going, keep going forwards” boomed from the stands, which Is something the Royal Blues will be taking into account going into their next game – with a boost coming from the transfer window.

„The transfer market is closed. The players who are in the dressing room now, that is Schalke 04. Now we have a team that is growing together. I’m looking forward to it,“ said Schröder, who summarized the matchday with a clear statement: “We have Bundesliga quality. We have to stop asking after every game whether we are Bundesliga-ready or not. We are Bundesliga-ready. That is my clear statement on that.“