Pre-season begins with Covid-19 tests

FC Schalke 04's pre-season ahead of the 2021/2022 campaign is underway. In order to guarantee the safety of all involved with the first team, players, coaches and staff have been individually tested for a possible Covid 19 infection under the supervision of the team physician and hygiene officer Dr. Patrick Ingelfinger on Monday (14/06).

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14.06.21, 16:44

Training Feature

Six players who are under contract for the upcoming season were not present in Gelsenkirchen after discussion with the club. Markus Schubert, who spent the last season on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt, is still on summer break following his participation in the European Under 21 Championship. The goalkeeper was part of the Germany squad that won the tournament after defeating Portugal 1-0 in the final a week ago.

Matthew Hoppe will also start training at a later date. The attacker is currently preparing for the Gold Cup with the USMNT. Omar Mascarell, on the other hand, was not present due to an ear infection.

Uth absent after consultations with club

Ozan Kabak, who was on loan at Liverpool during the second half of last season, is currently at the European Championship with Turkey, while Rabbi Matondo, was cur from the Welsh provisional squad for the same tournament. However, as the midfielder, who was most recently loaned out to Stoke City, was training with his country until shortly before the start of the tournament, he is expected back at Schalke later than his teammates, as agreed.

Mark Uth was also absent. After discussions with club management, the attacker has been given an exemption from training until the end of this week in order to clarify his sporting future. Sebastian Rudy was also not present. Sporting director Rouven Schröder explained: „We invited Sebastian – like all other players and staff – to today’s round of corona tests. He did not come, which gives us something to think about with regard to his future at Schalke 04.“ Rudy, who is on loan at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim until 30th June 2021, had been given permission to play and train as well as clearance from his loan club.

Performance tests followed by first session on the pitch

The first session on the pitch will take place on Thursday (17/06). Further details will follow shortly.

On the two days prior to that, performance tests are scheduled, in which the players will undergo orthopaedic, cardiological and internal examinations. The results will help the coaching team to plan and prepare the upcoming training sessions and to manage the players‘ workload.

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