2-0 friendly win in Eindhoven

Seguin returns, van der Sloot in the starting XI

Midfielder Paul Seguin returned to action after several weeks out to play against the current leaders of the Eredivisie (PSV have a 100% record this season and are seven points clear of Feyenoord).

Steven van der Sloot was also named in the starting XI. The right-back has featured in all 15 games for the U23s so far this season. Paul Pöpperl, another U23s player, came off the bench in the second half.

PSV coach Peter Bosz used a number of youngsters too, with a dozen of his first-team players away on international duty.

S04 with the better chances in the first half

Schalke began confidently against the 24-time Dutch champions and had two good opportunities early on. With just four minutes gone, Simon Terodde held off his marker to get clean through, only to dink the ball over the goalkeeper into the side-netting from a tight angle (4’). His fellow striker Keke Topp had a better chance shortly afterwards, heading over the bar from a Steven van der Sloot cross (9’).

PSV first threatened the Schalke goal after 18 minutes. A nice move saw the ball sit up nicely for Jesper Uneken, however he could only stab it over the goal from six yards out. S04 were compact and kept things tight in the first half, although failed to find a killer pass at the other end.

A Paul Seguin corner eight minutes before half time provided the next scare for the hosts. PSV goalkeeper Joel Drommel failed to properly deal with the delivery and it fell to Topp, but he couldn’t keep his effort down. The youngster was also involved in the final notable attack of the first half. Van der Sloot’s first-time ball over the PSV defence found the attacker, who then fired just past the far post after getting it out his feet (39’).

Two Schalke goals, PSV hit the bar

The start of the second half saw little action to report on. Schalke knocked the ball about nicely, albeit without any dangerous moments, while Justin Heekeren was rarely called upon in goal.

Simon Terodde opened the scoring in the 63rd minute with the first noteworthy attack after the break. Ibrahima Cissé played the ball into the box, Topp dummied it for Terodde and the pair played a one-two, with Terodde then slotting the ball into the far corner past Drommel for 1-0.

For PSV, Jordy Bawuah cleared the bar with his attempt (68’), before Yorbe Vertessen went closer five minutes later, hitting the woodwork from close range (73’).

After a good period of pressure by the hosts, Schalke were able to find space on the break. In the 80th minute, Terodde initiated a counter-attack and found Topp. He tried to play it back to his strike partner, but his pass was blocked. Nonetheless, the Knappen did find time to score a second goal. Soichiro Kozuki’s low cross from just inside the box was met by Topp first time and he beat Drommel to secure a 2-0 victory.

Second friendly of the international break in Gelsenkirchen

Karel Geraerts’ side are back in action on Thursday (16/11) in another friendly. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen, a Belgian second-division team, will visit the S04 training ground for an 11:00 CET kick off. The game will once again be streamed on YouTube.