And the league is just around the corner again. The long winter break ends in just under a week. FC Schalke 04 does not start against Eintracht Frankfurt with a good feeling. The miners have played numerous friendlies in recent weeks. There was no victory.
The hoped-for firecracker reinforcement did not materialize in terms of personnel either. Thomas Reis has to plan with the players he already knows at FC Schalke 04 – plus two loans. Does the current S04 squad ensure that the head coach throws his new shooting star straight into the deep end of the Bundesliga?
FC Schalke 04: Jewel enchants everyone
Perhaps the biggest reinforcement of this winter could have come from within our own ranks. While the World Cup was on in Qatar, Schalke trained at home in Gelsenkirchen and also gave talented U23s the chance to prove themselves. One person used this opportunity like no other: Soichiro Kozuki.
The young Japanese impressed right away at his first test appearances. FC Schalke 04 fans are already rubbing their hands. They hope that the right winger will liven up the offensive with his carefree style of play. Reis finally pressed the Kozuki brakes. Perhaps he has revealed another plan now.
Kozuki starts against Bremen
On Saturday (January 14) FC Schalke 04 played the last friendly of the winter preparations. The game against Werder Bremen could confidently be seen as a Bundesliga dress rehearsal. Accordingly, S04 coach Reis made it clear before the game: “[Es] there will be a starting XI that could start in Frankfurt a week later.”
Lo and behold: Kozuki was again in the starting XI against Werder. Now more than ever he is hoping to make his Bundesliga debut right at the start. The final decision on this will be made in a few days.
FC Schalke 04: atmosphere killer winter break
Kozuki showed a striking initial phase against Bremen, but then couldn’t do anything against the 0:1. The defeat was the sixth winter test of the Knappen without a win. The rice euphoria that triggered his assumption of office has evaporated.
More news:
Even more: The winter break has become a real atmosphere killer at FC Schalke 04. Too many construction sites have to be cleared. In terms of table, the team has to catch up a five-point deficit in order not to be relegated. 19 games remain.