S04 put seven past SSVg Velbert in pre-season friendly

FC Schalke 04 faced SSVg Velbert in a friendly on Tuesday night (27/7), winning 7-0 against the fifth-division side. Marvin Pieringer scored a hat-trick, with Amine Harit (2), Kerim Calhanoglu and Can Bozdogan all getting on the scoresheet. The match was arranged on short notice and took place on one of the training grounds at the Ernst-Kuzorra-Weg. For organisational reasons, the match had to take place behind closed doors. Future friendlies will take place with spectators in attendance, as usual.

Michael Langer started in goal, in a repeat of last weekend’s match against Hamburger SV. None of the outfield players who started that game were included in head coach Dimitrios Grammozis’ 16-man squad. Henning Matriciani from the U23s as well as Timo Becker and Dries Wouters started in defence with Mehmet Can Aydin, Omar Mascarell, Kerim Calhanoglu, Blendi Idrizi and Yaroslav Mikhailov in midfield. Amine Harti and Marvin Pieringer started in attack.

The Royal Blues needed fewer than 60 seconds to open the scoring through Marvin Pieringer. Four minutes later, the 21-year-old added a second, completing his flawless hat-trick in the 16th minute. Goals from Kerim Calhanoglu (23’) and Amine Harit (27’, 43’) saw Schalke head into the break 6-0 up.

Fraisl makes S04 debut

Following the change of ends, Martin Fraisl made his debut in goal for the Royal Blues after having joined the club a week ago. Bleron Krasniqi, Jimmy Kaparos, Levent Mercan and Can Bozdogan were then subbed on at the hour mark.

Schalke remained firmly in control during the second half, but failed to make the most of their countless chances on goal. Can Bozdogan would score the seventh and final goal of the night in the 75th minute with a stunning finish.

Match stats:

Schalke: Langer (46’ Fraisl) – Becker, Wouters, Matriciani – Aydin, Mascarell (61’ Kaparos), Calhanoglu – Idrizi (61’ Bozdogan), Mikhailov (61’ Mercan) – Harit, Pieringer (61’ Krasniqi)

Goals: 1-0 Pieringer (1’), 2-0 Pieringer (5’), 3-0 Pieringer (16’), 4-0 Calhanoglu (23’), 5-0 Harit (27’), 6-0 Harit (43’), 7-0 Bozdogan (75’)

Referee: Exner (Münster)