FC Schalke 04 are still waiting for their first win under new coach Kees van Wonderen. In the DFB Cup, Bundesliga side FC Augsburg were clearly the better side in the first leg and deserved to take the lead, but then Schalke put up a great fight – which ultimately went unrewarded.
Currently on top: Augsburg’s Alexis Claude-Maurice (#20).
IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Alexis Claude-Maurice was the man of the hour at FC Augsburg. The Fuggerstädter’s new attacker has made great strides since his long injury layoff in the Bundesliga; he scored twice against BVB at the weekend. Of course, he also played against Schalke from the start, Augsburg coach Jess Thorup generally made no changes compared to the 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund, but goalkeeper Dahmen replaced Labrovic (bench).
The personnel changes for S04 coach Kees van Wonderen were worse. After the 3-4 win against Fürth, the Dutch had to make four changes to the starting line-up due to injuries, as Schallenberg, Tempelmann, Younes and Sylla had not even made the trip to the city of Fugger. In total, van Wonderen relied on seven fresh players, keeper Heekeren was allowed to replace Hoffmann, before Aydin, Kaminski, Bachmann, Donkor, Mohr and captain Karaman started again.
DFB Cup – 2nd round, Tuesday
Everything at Königsblau was put to the test, van Wonderen was unable to impress S04 in his first two games and was now under pressure with his team against the Bundesliga club.
And Claude-Maurice meets again
Both teams entered the encounter with some reserve before the Fuggerstadt team took the lead. Schalke started in a 4-3-2-1 game, with Karaman pretty much alone up front. On the other hand, the FCA got better and better, it moved well and quickly and together again and again to go forward nicely.
Unsurprisingly, the hosts were ahead in the best phase. Claude-Maurice had first received a long ball, and during the second wave the Frenchman was free in the penalty area and immediately shot. Goalkeeper Heekeren was unhappy with Schalke; It was the fourth goal in the fourth competitive game for Claude-Maurice, who was also the most impressive player in the first half.
The Bundesliga team continued to press after that without creating any great opportunities. Schalke were almost completely out of attack until the break.
That should fundamentally change in the second round. Schalke were suddenly much more committed from the start, and after the substitution of Wasinski, Sanchez and Seguin after an hour, the Royal Blues were in control. It started with Murkin, whose Dahmen shot deflected over the crossbar (61′).
Schmidt starts it – Maier and Essende make everything clear
However, S04 was now fully engaged, Augsburg became passive, no longer happened offensively and lost itself in inaccuracy. At the back, however, the three-man chain remained intact. Nothing changes in the last step. Schalke fought bravely, pressed, showed total commitment and ran non-stop, but the ball did not want to fall at the feet of any attacker in the penalty area, not even Schmidt, who was playing for the first time since the final. U23 team.
Instead, things got very bitter for the visitors on the other side. Felipe Sanchez deflected Maier’s free kick with unstoppable accuracy into the goal triangle and thus accidentally confirmed the decision (87th), a little later Essende’s Joker even raised the score to 3-0 (90th) from an outside position that was not was the referee team. recognize.
FC Augsburg will face VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday at 3:30 pm (LIVE! on kicker). Schalke 04 will play again on Friday. The Knappen will face Ulm away at 6:30 pm
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert Dr. Alex Schmidt
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Schmidt! Thank you for joining us today. There have been some notable developments at FC Schalke 04 under their new coach, Kees van Wonderen. They’re still searching for their first win. What do you think of their current situation?
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you for having me! Schalke’s struggle is certainly concerning. It’s clear that there’s a healing process needed after the upheavals they’ve experienced in recent seasons. Van Wonderen has inherited a squad in need of a fresh direction, but injuries have complicated his efforts significantly.
Editor: Absolutely! Following their recent match in the DFB Cup against FC Augsburg, it seems like the injuries have really hampered Schalke’s performance. They were missing key players like Schallenberg and Younes. How crucial do you think squad depth is in a situation like theirs?
Dr. Schmidt: Squad depth is vital, especially in a physically demanding league like the Bundesliga. Injuries can derail a team’s tactical plans and force adaptations that don’t always yield the best results. Schalke’s situation emphasizes the importance of having a versatile and resilient roster, particularly for a coach trying to instill new strategies.
Editor: During the match against Augsburg, they relied on a completely fresh line-up, with seven new players. Can constant changes in the lineup lead to instability within a team?
Dr. Schmidt: Yes, it can. When a coach is forced to make frequent changes, it disrupts the team’s chemistry and understanding on the pitch. Players need time to build connections, and with so many new faces on the field, it can lead to miscommunication and mistakes, as we saw with Schalke’s performance.
Editor: Speaking of performance, Augsburg’s Alexis Claude-Maurice has been a standout. He scored twice against Borussia Dortmund and had another impressive match against Schalke. What do you think has contributed to his resurgence after a long injury layoff?
Dr. Schmidt: Claude-Maurice’s case is fascinating. After returning from injury, it’s clear he’s found his rhythm again. It often comes down to confidence and match fitness. Scoring early in matches, like he did against Dortmund, helps in regaining that essential self-belief. He’s now looking like a key player for Augsburg, which only puts more pressure on their opponents.
Editor: It seems like Augsburg was better organized and exploited their chances effectively against Schalke. What can Schalke do to turn their fortunes around in upcoming matches?
Dr. Schmidt: They must focus on defensive solidity first. Schalke needs to tighten up at the back to provide a platform for their attacking players to express themselves. It’ll be key for them to also work on their tactical structure, ensuring they don’t appear disjointed like they did in the first half against Augsburg.
Editor: That makes sense. As a final thought, what goals do you think Kees van Wonderen should prioritize in the immediate future?
Dr. Schmidt: First and foremost, securing that elusive win to build confidence. After that, he should aim to solidify a clear playing style that utilizes their strengths while addressing defensive weaknesses. Building trust among his players during this tumultuous period is also crucial; it’s about laying a foundation for long-term success.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Schmidt! Your insights into FC Schalke 04’s challenges and potential solutions are invaluable. We hope to see some changes in their upcoming games.
Dr. Schmidt: Thank you! I’m looking forward to watching how they adapt and evolve under Van Wonderen. It’s always exciting to see how teams respond to adversity in football.