FC Schalke 04 were knocked out of the DFB Cup by FC St. Pauli in the second round. S04 lost 2-1 after extra time.

0-3 at Karlsruher SC, 3-2 against Hannover 96 and on Tuesday evening (October 31, 2023) the 1-2 DFB Cup elimination at FC St. Pauli followed: That is Karel Geraerts’s record after three matches as coach of FC Schalke 04.

The cup exit in Hamburg rankled with the Belgian. After all, Schalke led 1-0 after a very good 45 minutes.

At the press conference after the 2-1 defeat to FC St. Pauli, Karel Geraerts talked about…

… the first half: “We played a good first half, were organized and allowed little against a strong opponent who has been very successful in recent weeks and months. It was to be expected that our opponent would have a lot of possession. Likewise, that it would be a tough game in which we also had to suffer in some phases. St. Pauli only had one really good chance before the break. Ralf Fährmann reacted excellently. We scored the 1-0 at the right moment.”.

We also did some things well. But that doesn’t make me satisfied after a defeat. I’m still proud of all the players, they gave everything until the last moment. Now it’s time to pick ourselves up.

Karel Geraerts

.. the second half: “In the second half, we continued to play in an organized manner overall, with a few tactical changes. Our opponent had more of the game after the break. The equalizer came from a penalty, so it went into extra time, in which St. Pauli scored again.”

… the extra time: “The winning goal annoyed me. Our opponents did well, but we showed the team exactly those kinds of scenes in the video analysis beforehand.

… the insights from the game at FC St. Pauli: “We also did some things well. But that doesn’t make me happy after a defeat. Nevertheless, I am proud of all the players, they gave their all until the last moment. Now we have to pick ourselves up. In four days, the next task awaits us in Nuremberg. I congratulate my colleague Fabian Hürzeler on advancing to the next round.”