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Mixed results for S04 players as international break kicks off
A total of eight Royal Blues were in action on Friday night. There were two defeats, two draws and three wins for Schalke internationals in total and schalke04.com rounds up all the action!
Starters Schöpf, Burgstaller and Embolo claim victory
Alessandro Schöpf got 74 minutes under his belt as Austria won 3-0 against Slovenia. Guido Burgstaller, the second Royal Blue in Das Nationalteam’s setup, also started, being withdrawn after 69 minutes. The goals in a comfortable win for Austria came courtesy of a brilliant David Alaba free-kick, as well as a Marko Arnautovic brace. It was the second win in as many games for new head coach Franco Foda, and the first by three goals for Austria in ten years. They will travel to Luxembourg for their next friendly on Tuesday.
It was also a successful night for Breel Embolo and neighbours Switzerland. The Royal Blue forward was given the nod up front against Greece and also hit the post in a goalless first half. Embolo made way after 73 minutes, as the Swiss claimed a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Blerim Dzemaili’s overhead kick. Next up for Vladimir Petkovic’s side, it’s a meeting with Panama on Tuesday night.
Goretzka and Pjaca come off the bench
Germany made it 22 games unbeaten on Friday night, drawing 1-1 against Spain. Thomas Müller scored the equaliser for Joachim Löw’s side after Rodrigo had opened the scoring inside six minutes. Leon Goretzka came on for Die Mannschaft’s goalscorer after 81 minutes, but couldn’t help swing the result Germany’s way. He will be hoping to get more minutes under his belt on Tuesday, when the world champions host Brazil in Berlin.
There was also a short appearance for the on-loan Marko Pjaca, although his Croatia side were beaten 2-0 by Peru in Miami. The midfielder was brought on in the 71st minute for former Bundesliga player Mario Mandzukic. Croatia’s next friendly match also takes place in the USA, with Ante Cacic’s side taking on Mexico in Texas early on Wednesday morning.
Harit and Nastasic watch on, Konoplyanka grabs an assist
There was the chance of a Royal Blue battle during Friday’s international action, but sadly both Amine Harit and Matija Nastasic were left on the bench as Morocco won 2-1 over Serbia. They will both be hoping to feature on Tuesday night, with Harit’s Morocco set to play Uzbekistan in Casablanca, while Nastasic’s Serbia will face Nigeria in London.
Elsewhere, Yevhen Konoplyanka did get 90 minutes for Ukraine, even assisting a goal for Artem Kravets after half an hour, but it wasn’t enough for victory as Saudi Arabia fought back to claim a 1-1 draw. Ukraine will be in action again on Tuesday against Japan in Liege.