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Kees van Wonderen on match practice, fitness levels and youngsters from the academy
Kees van Wonderen was pleased with the 1-0 friendly win over FC Groningen on Wednesday night (19/3). “I’m satisfied with the performance,” said the Schalke head coach after the game. Aymen Barkok scored the only goal of the evening in the 18th minute from the penalty spot after Peter Remmert was brought down in the box.
The result against the team currently ninth in the Eredivisie wasn’t too important for the Dutchman. “The lads worked hard and did well, even if not everything came off,” he praised.
The friendly also gave valuable minutes to Ron Schallenberg and Tobias Mohr. Although the pair had returned to action in the league recently after injury and illness respectively, the match gave them the opportunity to build up their fitness levels.
The lads worked hard and did well.
“It was also good that a few lads that haven’t played much recently got some minutes against a good opponent,” commented van Wonderen. “We also gave a number of academy players an opportunity to impress as well.”
The first-team players that weren’t part of the squad trained together before the game, while those working their way back from injury also continued making progress towards rejoining team training.
One final push
Among those players close to a return are Emil Højlund and Moussa Sylla, though van Wonderen has called for some patience. “Although they are currently completing parts of team training, they are not yet able to take part in a full session. We will continue to increase their workload, but they both probably haven’t made enough progress to be available for the Fürth game. Moussa might make the squad, but it will most likely come too soon for him,” reported the 56-year-old.
Van Wonderen has given his players a few days off to recharge the batteries ahead of the final few weeks of the season, with the Knappen’s aim of reaching 40 points as soon as possible firmly on his mind. A group of injured players will work individually at the training ground on Thursday (20/3), before they can enjoy a long weekend like the rest of their teammates.
The start of next week will see the focus fully switch to the away game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, which will be played on Sunday (30/3) at the Sportpark Ronhof at 13:30 CEST.
