FC Schalke won its test on Wednesday. Many young players were involved.
Second division club Schalke 04 won its test match 2:0 (0:0) against a team from Dutch top-flight club PSV Eindhoven that featured many young players. Fans were not allowed to attend the match in Eindhoven.
The Dutch top club, who lead the Eredivisie by seven points from Feyenoord Rotterdam, had to do without twelve international players against the Royal Blues.
S04 coach Karel Geraerts was also unable to call on all of his professional players and therefore started Steven van der Sloot, a player who normally plays in Schalke’s regional league team, in midfield. On the bench were goalkeeper Justin Treichel, Nelson Amadin, Jimmy Kaparos, Joey Müller, Paul Pöpperl and Malik Talabidi, further talents from the U23s.
In addition to the two young internationals Assan Ouedraogo (U17 World Cup) and Yusuf Kabadayi (German U20), Geraerts also had to do without new father Tobias Mohr (thigh problems), Ron Schallenberg (stomach bug), Kenan Karaman (rib pain), Leo Greiml (cruciate ligament rupture), Marius Müller (torn tendon) and Ralf Fährmann (adductor pain). Tomas Kalas had only trained individually recently. Several other professionals, such as Bryan Lasme, Marcin Kaminski and Thomas Ouewejan, did not travel to Eindhoven and are expected to take part in Schalke’s test against Belgian second division side Patro Eisden Maasmechelen on Thursday (11 a.m.)
In the duel with Eindhoven, Schalke created more chances in the first half. After four minutes, a chip attempt by S04 captain Simon Terodde landed on the outside of the PSV goal. Shortly afterwards, Steven van der Sloot delivered a dangerous cross into the home side’s penalty area, but Keke Topp aimed his header a little too high (9′).
The only chance for PSV Eindhoven resulted from a minor coordination problem between Schalke defender Ibrahima Cissé and goalkeeper Justin Heekeren (18). However, PSV talent Jesper Uneken flicked the ball over the Royal Blues’ goal. After 37 minutes, a goal was in the air for Schalke after Eindhoven goalkeeper Joel Drommel flew past a corner kick. However, Keke Topp shot the ball over the crossbar too hastily.
After the break, Eindhoven made their first statement with a shot from Mylian Jimenez. However, his attempt landed on the outside of the net (49′). Schalke took the lead in the 62nd minute with a goal from veteran Simon Terodde. The goalscorer scored with a low shot into the left corner after preparatory work from Keke Topp. Eindhoven had several good opportunities after going behind. Yorbe Vertessen’s shot touched the top of the crossbar (72′). 180 seconds later, the 22-year-old Vertessen tried again, but his attempt was blocked by S04 defender Timo Baumgartl.
After a switch initiated by Danny Latza, Simon Terodde and Keke Topp stormed towards the Eindhoven goal, but did not play the counter-attack skillfully enough when outnumbered and the ball was deflected out for a corner (79′). In stoppage time, Schalke managed to score a second goal: youngster Keke Topp was on hand from close range to make the final score 2:0