Test match instead of training. In a secret test against their own U23, Schalke 04 revealed major defensive deficiencies. A talent scores three times.

Instead of a normal training session, part of the professional team of FC Schalke 04 had an internal test match against the U23 on the agenda on Tuesday afternoon. Players who had been less used in the past weeks were allowed to show themselves under near-competition conditions – but the professionals were not able to do much self-promotion. The regional league players won 4:2 (2:2) after two 30-minute matches against the second division professionals.

The defensive behaviour of the professionals was conspicuously weak. The four-man defensive chain, which in the first half consisted of U23 substitute Malick Talabidi, Ibrahima Cissé, Henning Matricani and Thomas Ouwejan, was extremely patchy. With long balls, the U23s repeatedly managed to get dangerously in front of Ralf Fährmann’s goal, who was playing for Schalke for the first time again after his calf injury.

Schalke: Nelson Amadin takes advantage of Henning Matriciani’s mistake

Goals for the fourth-division club, who started without ex-Bundesliga striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga, were only a matter of time – and they came. After a mistake by Matriciani, Nelson Amadin scored for the U23s to make it 1-1 (9th). Keke Topp scored three times for the second team. In the 22nd minute he scored the 2:2, after 36 minutes the 3:2, after 49 minutes the 4:2.

The biggest bright spot among the professionals was Bryan Lasme. The 24-year-old Frenchman was almost unstoppable with his speed and was involved in both goals via the right attacking side. He set up the 1:0 by Sebastian Polter (8th) and scored the 2:1 himself after a good sprint over 40 metres.

The line-up of the FC Schalke 04 professionals: Ralf Fährmann – Malick Talabidi, Ibrahima Cissé, Henning Matriciani, Thomas Ouwejan (from 31 min. Yusuf Kadabayi) – Niklas Tauer – Soichiro Kozuki, Assan Ouédraogo – Bryan Lasme, Sebastian Polter, Tobias Mohr.

Goals: 1:0 Sebastian Polter (8.), 1:1 Nelson Amadin (9.), 2:1 Bryan Lasme (19.), 2:2 Keke Topp (22.), 3:2 Keke Topp (36.), 4:2 Keke Topp (49.).