The S04 U19 team put up a long fight in their cup exit against RB Leipzig. After the game, Schake’s U19 coach Norbert Elgert also spoke about the unequal opportunities and the new game format.

FC Schalke 04’s U19 team put up a great fight against RB Leipzig in the first round of the DFB Cup, losing 2-4 (1-3). Ultimately, however, coach Norbert Elgert’s team was eliminated.

With the score at 2-3 shortly before the end, the 68-year-old’s team came close again after trailing 0-3 at one point, but the 2-4 score ended all their dreams. In the second half, the Royal Blues’ U19 team even had the upper hand against RB and could have turned the game around with a little more luck and efficiency.

“Nevertheless, we are not satisfied,” said Elgert after the game. However, he was very pleased with his team’s performance in the second half. “But on the other hand, they brought on a player they signed from Croatia for three million euros (Niko Tomasevic, ed.). That’s a completely different category, a completely different world,“ explained the successful Schalke coach. Din Klapija was also signed last summer from NK Kustosija Zagreb for one million euros. ”Two or three of them could probably start in our first team right away. But we’re looking at what we have. And that wasn’t so bad either.”

One thing is clear: the Knappenschmiede system still works, but with every year in the second division, it becomes more difficult and the gap widens. “Of course, you have to say that. It’s the first division against the second division. And in financial terms, it’s not just the first division, it’s far ahead of the first division. With all due respect, they can do it, and I don’t mean that in a negative way, nor is it an excuse, but the boy who came on cost three million euros. And then there was another one on the pitch who cost a million euros,” said Elgert, looking at the cup opponents’ personnel. “That’s almost a second division squad. And our boys did an excellent job against them, except for a long spell in the first half.” Elgert also criticized the new format with 64 teams. “One thing is clear: one of the competitions is over. But this new format with an incredible number of teams, many of whom, with all due respect, had a free pass, and then two such teams play against each other, is unfortunate.”