Schalke's Geraerts Stands Firm: "We Won't Give Up" 🗣️
Coach Karel Geraerts showed his grit after Schalke's 5-3 defeat at Fortuna Düsseldorf. "We won't give up," expressed the FC Schalke 04 head honcho. With a 5-3 loss, the relegated Bundesliga team finds itself deep in the relegation scuffle in the 2. Bundesliga.
"It's not five to twelve, it's twelve!" cautioned Geraerts, hoping his players understood the severity of the situation. "And if they don't, I'll make sure they do," he asserted, adding that he's dealt with four defeats in six matches so far.
Tactical Changes and Ouwejan's Upset ⚽️
Following a lackluster first-half performance, Geraerts had a plan: substitute three players within the first half-hour. Thomas Ouwejan, however, didn't agree. The Dutch player expressed his displeasure, refusing to shake hands and showing little understanding. Geraerts wasn't pleased: "I won't tolerate that behavior."
During halftime, Geraerts' voice boomed in the dressing room, as the Belgian coach expected better performance following the team's 3-0 deficit. Schalke soon responded, scoring three times through Marcin Kaminski, Tomas Kalas, and Bryan Lasme. Düsseldorf tied the score to 3-4, then took the lead and sealed a 5-3 victory.
Schalke's Goal Troubles 📊
Sharing the most goals conceded with 33, Schalke remains 14th in the 2. Bundesliga and little hope of improvement. Striker Kaminski, one of the better Schalke players, maintained that the players were fully aware of the dire situation. "We're all frustrated and do everything possible to get out of this predicament," he explained.
Looking ahead, Geraerts' Schalke may meet FC Schalke 04 in the upcoming Bundesliga 2 match. The Dutchman, Ouwejan, was hoped to adjust his behavior and align with the team's situation, as expressed by Geraerts.
Sources: & Additional Insights
Schalke 04, currently in the 2. Bundesliga, sits 14th, three points ahead of the relegation zone. However, their performance on the pitch remains inconsistent. A surprise 3-1 victory against league leaders St. Pauli showcased Schalke's potential. But they've also suffered setbacks, with criticisms leveled against head coach Karel Geraerts for his lineup and tactical approach.
The financial challenges at Schalke 04 are substantial too. A cooperative venture, Auf Schalke eG, allows fans, members, and businesses to purchase shares to help reduce debt. This fan-based funding initiative has already raised €3.5 million from over 4,000 participants.
Despite their struggles, Schalke's prospects for improvement remain uncertain. Their performance on the field and financial situation both present challenges, making the club's position in 2. Bundesliga tenuous. The future of coach Geraerts is equally uncertain, with renewed criticism following the team's recent loss against Magdeburg.
