Hard work in Tirol: 28 players travel to Längenfeld

Due to a conflicting schedule, the training camp will not take place in Mittersill with Schalke partner Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern this year.

An extraordinary season

Like in the short training camp in Herzlake two weeks ago, the squad will work hard on physical conditioning, as well as tactically, in order to be prepared for a season with a much busier schedule. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the season will start about a month later than usual, and EURO 2021 ensures that there is additional pressure on the schedule.

The winter break, and thus the opportunity to conduct a training camp in January to prepare for the Rückrunde, is not possible this season. That’s particularly difficult for the clubs whose players join up with their national sides for the first international break of the season (31/8 – 7/9), which takes place in the middle of preparations for the first round of the DFB-Pokal (11/9 – 14/9).

“We only have one opportunity to prepare for this season due to the lack of a winter break. That means that we need to use this time to lay the foundations for almost the next ten months,” explains David Wagner, who knows a tight schedule from his time in England. “For that reason, we’ll also use the time in Längenfeld to focus on getting the players in better physical condition. The training camp will be rounded off with friendly matches.”

In Tirol, the Schalke head coach will have all of his squad available – a total of 28 players. That includes Omar Mascarell and Salif Sané, who continue to work on their comeback after a long break due to injury.

Further friendlies for Schalke 04

Up to three friendlies are planned for the training camp. On Monday (24/8), the Royal Blues face newly-promoted second-division side Würzburger Kickers in the Stadion Kematen (18:00 CEST). Four days later, the squad will play two friendlies, but specific information for these fixtures will be announced shortly.