Norbert Elgert criticised the mode after the 1:3 derby defeat and focuses more on the training of his team.

After the 1:3 derby defeat against Borussia Dortmund, Schalke coach Norbert Elgert focused on the learning effect of the defeat and the process his team has ahead of them: “We will draw a positive conclusion, because we are in training and there we must always succeed in reconciling training and processes with team success. We didn’t succeed against Dortmund, but that gives us feedback to learn. We had five young players on the pitch from the start. A young team that will develop and learn.”

The 65-year-old does not see a real season due to the once again short season in which each team plays each other only once and thus each has only 15 games: “This season there is only a batting and fighting anyway. It’s not a competition. But that’s true for everyone, so you just have to deal with it. Training is no more because we are at least 15 matches short. “

Training is no longer, because we’re at least 15 competitions short.

Norbert Elgert

Even with a view to this once again short season, the defeat seems doubly bitter for the Schalkers, of course. For Elgert, however, that is absolutely not an issue: “It’s training. If my boys had been totally disappointed and played a bad game, that would have been different. But if anyone can handle it, it’s me. I’m not happy about it, it still gnaws at you, but then I look forward. Sometimes you learn more from defeats than from successes and the task now is to keep your head up. The boys have every reason to do that. “

Elgert, who has been coaching the U19s since 1996, will then focus on this training and already has some initial points where his team needs to improve: “It was very tidy in terms of play. We still have to develop the ability to get more people into the box and to make the last pass more precise. But we also have to be more consistent in our decisions. But a lot of things were really good. And for me, you’re only a loser if you didn’t give everything and I can’t say that after the game. Games are allowed to be lost.”

The Königsblauen will be able to put that into practice next weekend when they face Rot-Weiss Essen (Sunday, 21 August, 11am), who drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach in their opener. Elgert is even more specific with regard to the next game: “In this respect, you can only analyse the game against Dortmund and we will do that positively. Because a lot of things were really good. And then we want to do better again in the next game. In detail in defence, but also in our finishing up front. Against another strong opponent. “