Even the new coach cannot prevent the next Schalke defeat. S04 coach Reis knows what he now has to work on with the bottom team.

The fans’ loud cheering after the next sporting low blow was heard by Thomas Reis in the catacombs of the Schalke football arena. When his team stepped in front of the Nordkurve with its most loyal supporters after the deserved 0:2 against SC Freiburg, the new coach had already left the pitch. “I think the spectators have a very fine sense. They know the situation,” Reis said.

The sobering seventh defeat in a row in a must-win game did not prompt whistles. There was thunderous support. The team spirit is right, and on the pitch Reis has known since Sunday evening at the latest that he has taken on a very difficult task at the bottom of the table.

Schalke fought, but in terms of football, the Königsblauen simply could not keep up with SC Freiburg. “I saw a team that at least invested everything,” Reis emphasised, pointing out that his team “did not fall apart” against strong Freiburg. The 49-year-old, who was presented as the new coach just three days before the game, was also annoyed by technical mistakes and inaccuracies in the forward play.

In addition, Reis criticised inconsistent tackling at 0:1 by Vincenzo Grifo and before the foul that led to the penalty kick and ultimately to Grifo’s second goal.

This is one of the things he wants to work on in his first full week of training as S04 coach. “We played it dirty and that’s where we have to start,” said the former coach of Schalke’s relegation rivals VfL Bochum. In the winter break, S04 could also become active once again on the transfer market. It also became clear against Freiburg that there was a lack of speed in the game going forward.

However, the Schalkers did not deny their suitability for the Bundesliga. “We just don’t show it every game,” said left-back Thomas Ouwejan, who had to be substituted in the first half due to knee problems. Like his new coach, the 26-year-old was pleased with the positive atmosphere in the stands despite the sporting misery. “We get extra energy from the fans,” said Ouwejan. “The fact that they are still so behind us is unbelievable. We hope it stays that way. “