S04 defeated 1-0 in friendly to mark FC Twente’s anniversary

Max Grüger with the captain’s armband

A number of players from the club’s U19 and U23 teams featured in the friendly in Enschede. Seven members of the squad that beat SV Elversberg 1-0 last time out made the trip to the Netherlands: Justin Heekeren, Felipe Sanchez, Henning Matriciani, Ayman Gulasi, Max Grüger, Mauro Zalazar and Mika Khadr. Aside from Khadr, they all started against Twente, with Grüger captaining the team. The starting XI also included Adrian Gantenbein, who was suspended for the Elversberg game, and Dylan Leonard.

Paul Pöpperl (U23s), Clinton Wilson and Malik Tubic (U19s) made up the rest of the starting line-up. Peter Remmert (thigh injury) and Anton Donkor (ankle injury after a tackle in training) stayed in Gelsenkirchen, along with several other first-team players, to complete an individual training programme. Mertcan Ayhan and Nikola Katic were away on international duty.

Paul Pöpperl with Schalke’s best chance of the half

Backed by more than 5,000 travelling fans – who snapped up the entire away allocation at De Grolsch Veste – Schalke made a lively start to the friendly. Lining up in their usual 3-4-2-1 shape, the Royal Blues first threatened when Adrian Gantenbein whipped in a cross from the right, though Malik Tubic was inches away from making contact with his header in the box.

The hosts then had their first look at goal. After Felipe Sanchez brought down Naci Ünüvar, the winger took the resulting free-kick himself from a tight angle on the right, but Gantenbein was alert to clear at the back post (11’). Sanchez also read the danger well soon after, cutting out a potential knockdown from Daan Rots intended for Arno Verschueren inside the area (17’).

Justin Heekeren was called into action for the first time on 20 minutes, tipping over a powerful drive from Marko Pjaca after a low cross from Verschueren on the right. FC Twente began to see more of the ball, but Schalke carved out the best opportunity of the half. Paul Pöpperl broke away down the left after a through ball from Tubic, skipping past Robin Pröpper before shooting from a tight angle. His effort, however, flashed just wide of the far post (33’). Moments later, Clinton Wilson tried his luck from distance, but his left-footed effort was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton (36’).

The hosts had two more sights of goal before the break: Sam Lammers fired narrowly wide from 12 yards (38’), followed by Naci Ünüvar’s curling effort that also missed the target (39’). The sides went into the break goalless.

Rots header wins it for Twente

Schalke made two changes at the break, with U23 duo Tim Dietrich and Magnus Rösner coming on for Dylan Leonard and Clinton Wilson. Just moments later, Miron Muslic was forced into another switch when Max Grüger couldn’t continue after a midfield collision. U19 midfielder Ben Weber came on in his place (49’). Four minutes later, the hosts struck. A second consecutive corner from the left by Naci Ünüvar found Daan Rots, who headed in at the near post from close range.

Twente had the ball in the net again shortly afterwards, but Sam Lammers was clearly offside before lifting the ball over Justin Heekeren (58’). With 25 minutes left, another Ünüvar corner caused problems. Arno Verschueren flicked it on and Bas Kuipers met the loose ball with a volley that flashed just wide of the right-hand post. Felipe Sanchez then threw himself in the way of a Marko Pjaca effort following the next set piece (69’).

Marko Pjaca was involved again in the 78th minute, bending a shot just over the angle after being teed up by substitute Sondre Ørjasæter. At the other end, a cross from U19 attacker Silas Thier was just out of reach for fellow substitute Bojan Potnar (83’). Three minutes later, Kuipers had another big chance but failed to make proper contact when unmarked in front of goal.

Heekeren then denied Rots with a smart save after an excellent solo run from Ørjasæter down the right (88’). In the three minutes of added time, Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink broke free down the left, but once again Heekeren stood firm to keep him out. That proved to be the final action of the evening in front of 25,000 spectators and a lively atmosphere.

Preußen Münster up next

Following the conclusion of the third international break of the season, S04 will play away against Preußen Münster on Saturday (22/11) at 13:00 CET. The Royal Blues then have 04 more league games to come before the winter break.