S04 defeat Alanyaspor in pre-season friendly

Six youth players in the starting XI

Head coach David Wagner took 17 players with him for the game with Alanyaspor. The remaining players will be available for the game against FC Villarreal at 18:00 CEST this evening.

Alongside five first-teamers, Wagner selected Marcel Langer, Görkem Can, Sandro Plechaty, Levent Mercan, Philip Fontein and Jonas Hofmann from the Knappenschmiede in his starting XI. Mark Uth, who suffered a serious adductor injury four months ago, was on the bench alongside Weston McKennie, who has only joined re-joined team training in Mittersill after playing in the Gold Cup with the US national side.

Around 50 young boys and girls from the Knappen football school attended the match in the Waldstadion.

Alanyaspor more dangerous in the opening exchanges

The Knappen had the first dangerous chance of the match after eight minutes. Jonas Hofmann’s cross was no problem for Alanyaspor keeper Carlos Marafona though.

The Turkish side threatened at the other end, with Karaca Efecan getting space down the right-hand side and crossing for former Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cissé in the middle. S04 keeper Markus Schubert was on hand to block Cissé’s effort from a narrow angle (9’). Junior Fernandes then flashed a shot wide from distance (12’).

Skrzybski scores and then hits the post

Six minutes after Fernandes’ shot, the deadlock was finally broken – by the Royal Blues! Daniel Caligiuri played a nice through ball to Steven Skrzybski and the 26-year-old held off his defender to make it 1-0.

Alanyaspor almost found an immediate answer, however a header from Anastasios Bakasetas just missed Schubert’s goal (20’). The woodwork then stopped Schalke doubling their lead just a minute later. Jonas Hofmann’s cross was perfectly volleyed by Skrzybski, but rebounded back out from the post.

Alanyaspor control the game, Fontein tests out Marafona

Junior Fernandes had another good effort (30’), before Cissé’s shot on the turn also failed to trouble the Schalke keeper (38’).

Schalke played with more confidence towards the end of the half and Philip Fontein tested out Marafona with a 25-yard drive (41’). Despite another dangerous Fernandes effort before the break, S04 ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.

McKennie replaces Caligiuri

David Wagner made one change at the interval: Weston McKennie came on for Daniel Caligiuri.

The Knappen had a huge chance to make it 2-0 almost immediately in the second period. Sandro Plechaty crossed the ball in and Steven Caulker’s deflection fell to Ahmed Kutucu, but the striker couldn’t find the back of the net from close range. Plechaty then almost scored himself four minutes later, before the ball was cleared of the line at the last minute.

Reese makes it 2-0

Schalke’s strong start to the second half was finally rewarded in the 57th minute. Ahmed Kutucu cut inside and fed Fabian Reese, who made it 2-0 from close range.

Both teams pushed forwards after this – Cissé and McKennie both had chances from the edge of their respective boxes.

Uth makes his comeback, Kutucu goes off injured

Mark Uth made his long-awaited return from a four-month injury in the 67th minute, coming on with Berkan Firat for Fabian Reese and Steven Skrzybski.

Schalke were then left disappointed in the 73rd minute as Ahmed Kutucu was taken off injured and replaced by Christian Eggert. Not much happened after this, meaning it finished 2-0.

Testspiel-Doppelpack endet mit Partie gegen Villarreal

Das nächste Testspiel folgt in Kürze. Um 18 Uhr trifft der S04 in der Saalfelden Arena im letzten Testspiel dieser Sommer-Vorbereitung auf den spanischen Erstligisten FC Villarreal.