Schalke 04 lost 4-2 to Midtjylland in a shortened test, but there were still some positive findings
At first glance, the facts sound sobering. Due to a heavy thunderstorm, the test match between second division side Schalke 04 and Danish champions FC Midtjylland only lasted 81 minutes – and then the Royal Blues lost 4-2. But there were some positive findings for coach Karel Geraerts – and the fans who had traveled with him were satisfied despite the defeat.
Why? It was down to the Schalke team that was on the pitch for the first 62 minutes. A team that, according to the current state of preparation, corresponds to the A-eleven that could be on the pitch on the first matchday. It was clear to see what Geraerts has rehearsed in two and a half weeks of preparation so far: He wants to see dynamic, fast soccer in a 3-5-2 system – and preferably no more long balls. Five newcomers were in the starting line-up – and not only did they keep up in front of 1000 spectators in Saalfelden, they even led 2:1 at the break.
Sylla scores sixth preparation goal
This was thanks to a duo who once again harmonized perfectly in this preparation. In the 15th minute, Paul Seguin set up new goalscorer Moussa Sylla with a beautiful pass into the deep. He initially failed to beat goalkeeper Elias Olofsson, but converted the follow-up shot to make it 1:0. After Ola Brynhildsen had equalized following a positioning error by Schalke’s Derry John Murkin (21st/1:1), the S & S duo put Schalke back in front. This time, Sylla played the ball across in the penalty area and Seguin calmly slotted the ball into the corner. After just four test matches, the figures for both players are impressive: Seguin has one goal and seven assists, while Sylla has six goals and one assist. He almost added a seventh goal, but Sylla was too surprised after a bad pass from goalkeeper Olofsson (28′).
New regular keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann was also able to draw attention to himself. The Royal Blues did not do everything right in defense, twice the number 1 had to make up for a mistake by his front men. In the tenth minute, when the score was still 0-0, Aral Simsek let Schalke’s defensive fighter Tomas Kalas off the hook, but Hoffmann held on to the low shot. With the score at 1:1, Hoffmann faced Brynhildsen and made a brilliant save.
At the break, Geraerts left the starting eleven, which had played well, on the pitch – unlike usual in professional soccer – while Midtjylland made their substitutions. Schalke’s legs were now getting heavier and heavier, with three players (Marcin Kaminski, Anton Donkor, Kenan Karaman) receiving yellow cards in the first 15 minutes. In the 54th minute, the whole defense looked bad when Anders Priske scored unchallenged from close range to make it 2:2. Seven minutes later, Tomas Kalas knocked over his opponent in the penalty area – penalty. Alhaji Kamara converted safely, and Schalke’s 2:1 lead had turned into a 2:3 deficit.
Only Schalke goalkeeper Hoffmann was allowed to play through With the exception of goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, Schalke now substituted the entire team, but the second team was unable to turn the game around. On the contrary: Mikel Gorgoza increased the score to 4:2 for the Danes (67′) as the thunderstorm was gathering. And it stayed that way. In the 81st minute, there was so much rain, lightning and thunder that the game was abandoned