Travelling back from Vienna with plenty of lessons and experiences

FC Schalke 04 landed back on home soil on Saturday afternoon (10/12). They returned with excess luggage following the 2-2 draw with Rapid Wien; not in the form of actual baggage, but rather as lessons, experience and hard work.

Testspiel

10.12.22, 15:52

“We looked for an opponent who would challenge us, and Rapid did that,” Thomas Reis looked back at the 2-2 draw, during which he saw several good phases from his side. “We played well in the first half and deservedly led. They also had chances, but we were defensively stable and pressed well.” 

Lacked the bravery and decisiveness required to get the win

Soichiro Kozuki (8’) and Simon Terodde (31’) gave S04 a quick two-goal lead. At the other end, Alexander Schwolow made several good saves to deny the home side. After conceding two goals from set pieces (49’ and 65’), the keeper mainly watched on as his teammates got closer to a winner in the final stages of the game. “If we were a bit tidier in the final third, if our decision making had been better and if we’d have been brave enough to take more shots, we potentially could have won. However, the game could also have swung the other way.” 

Despite conceding twice in the second half, Reis came away feeling positive: “Even if the second half didn’t go to plan, I saw a team today who dug in and tried to get a positive result, which is incredibly important to me.” 

Experience for the six academy prospects

The coach also thought it important to mention that the defence in the second half was very young. “We wanted to see how the U23s got on at this level. We played against a good side and a good crowd, and these little things can play a decisive role in success and failure at this level.” Even if not everything went right on the pitch, ”the lads gave a good account of themselves, and they can take plenty away from the game.” 

Schwolow also had plenty of praise for the six academy players (Verthomy Boboy, Andrewas Ivan, Soichiro Kozuki, Daniel Kyerewaa, Joez Müller and Julius Schell): “It’s also good to have some young blood to keep everyone on their feet. They’re good lads who work hard and so it’s been fun.”

For some it is a reward, for others it’s a motivation to keep working hard.

Julius Schell

Centre-back Schell played over 60 minutes and can returns with good match practice under his belt: “I learned a lot. It confirms that we’ve had a good first half to the season. For some it is a reward, for others it’s a motivation to keep working hard. It’s a chance that you’d like to take.” 

Regardless of individual aims, Reis expects his players “not to put themselves too heavily into the limelight, even if you are trying to prove yourself. Everyone needs to bring their “A” game, but ultimately, we need to work as a team. We did well in Vienna, but there’s still plenty of work to be done.” Another interesting friendly in Croatia against Hajduk Split is up next for Schalke on Friday (16/12).  

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