Intensive first session in perfect Herzlake conditions

At exactly 14:38 CEST the team bus arrived at the Hotel in Herzlake, with head coach David Wagner leading the first training session of the camp around three hours later. The focus of Tuesday evening’s session was passing and build-up play as well as out-of-possession drills.

As part of the unveiling of Markus Schubert at midday, sporting director Jochen Schneider underlined the reason behind the decision to head to Emsland for a short camp. “When it became clear that we weren’t going to fly to China this year, we decided to carry out another short training camp,” said Schneider. “So we’re having a change of scenery before our training camp in Mittersill.”

Head coach David Wagner was positive about the camp. “The atmosphere fits, the pitch is in a really good condition,” said the American after the conclusion of the first session.

Seven youth team players join the squad

In Görkem Can, Jason Ceka, Berkan Firat, Philip Fontein, Marcel Langer, Levent Mercan and Sandro Plechaty, there is a lot of youth talent within the squad. With the exception of Philip Fontein, each of the youngsters made an appearance in each of the last three pre-season fixtures.

Schalke are still without Weston McKennie and Salif Sané. McKennie, who reached the Gold Cup final with USA, will return to the squad ahead for the training camp in Mittersill (26/07 to 03/08), whilst Sané is still with the Senegal squad as they prepare to face Algeria in the Africa Cup final (Friday 19/07, 21:00 CEST).

Specific programme for three players

Three Royal Blues are yet to complete full training and are working on their comebacks in Emsland. Daniel Caligiuri is working on overcoming a groin injury whilst Alessandro Schöpf continues his return from the torn ligament injury picked up in January and Mark Uth on the adductor injury suffered in April. The trio have all been in action in Herzlake, completing certain drills with the team whilst also working individually in some areas.

Double sessions before friendly against Norwich

David Wagner’s side will train twice on Wednesday and Thursday before facing Norwich City on Friday (18:30 CEST) in the fourth friendly of pre-season. The game will take place in the Lotter FRIMO Stadium and there will be a few familiar faces in store, with Ralf Fährmann, on loan from the club, and Teemu Pukki, who wore Royal Blue between 2011 and 2013, set to line up for the English Premier Division side.