FC Schalke 04 played its first game under the leadership of coach Kees van Wonderen against the Swiss second division club FC Aarau and played 2-2. The new coach helped some reservists get playing time in difficult conditions, but the spectators were not offered any treats in terms of football.
Conductor on the sidelines: Schalke’s new coach Kees van Wonderen stood in the rain in Aarau.
IMAGO/RHR-Photo
Almost a week after Kees van Wonderen was hired as the new head coach, FC Schalke 04 played against the Swiss second division club FC Aarau. Background: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Brügglifeld stadium, Aarau invited its partner club Schalke 04.
A good opportunity for the new Dutch coach to take a closer look at some of his players. Above all, he gave minutes to a few professionals who urgently need match practice. Compared to the 2-2 draw against Hertha BSC, only Kalas and Bulut were on the barely playable Aarau lawn from the start, otherwise keeper Hoffmann, Seguin, Lasme and Höjlund were allowed to collect minutes. Karaman, Sylla, Mohr and Younes hadn’t even started the trip to Switzerland; they were given a break.
It certainly wasn’t an impressive game that the numerous spectators in the Brügglifeld Stadium were treated to. Almost 1,300 fans came from Gelsenkirchen alone and saw two goals conceded for their colors in the first half. Hoffmann was able to fend off a hidden shot, but was then powerless against the follow-up shot (10th).
Höjlund dusts off – Schallenberg hits with his head
When they conceded the second goal, Aarau had far too much space on the left side, there was no one responsible for Odutayo in the middle and he scored the hosts’ second goal (42nd). Since Höjlund had recently scored a hit on the crossbar from Tempelmann to equalize (37th), Aarau went into the break 2-1.
Van Wonderen experimented with the restart and also gave the youngsters Grüger, Wasinski, Noode and Zalazar a chance to prove themselves. Overall, the combinations were a little more fluid in the second half, but on the other hand, only former Bundesliga professional Bobadilla occasionally caused a touch of danger.
However, both teams lacked ideas in front of the goal and the difficult terrain did the rest. Since Schallenberg at least headed a corner into the goal (74′), Schalke didn’t leave the field with a defeat in his coach’s friendly debut; in the end it was 2-2. S04 almost turned the game around, but the flag went up when Wasinski’s header goal (90′).
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