Schalke 04 is currently experiencing a fiery surge.
On October 22, 2023, Karel Geraerts found himself left in disbelief. In his inaugural game as FC Schalke 04's trainer, he witnessed events that left him baffled. His team suffered a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Karlsruhe, marking the start of a challenging journey for the Belgian. This setback could potentially signal the end of his tenure at the club. On this particular Friday evening, Schalke's struggling second-division side suffered their third defeat of the season, once again at the hands of Karlsruhe, this time with a scoreline of 0-2 (0-1). Their performance left much to be desired.
Following the turmoil of the previous season, expectations were high that things would improve. Schalke was expected to regain its footing, to learn to walk again. However, this team is anything but a leisurely stroll. In the first half, they barely managed to pose any threat. There were a few moments that could have been dangerous, but their execution was lacking, at best.
Karlsruhe, on the other hand, didn't perform exceptionally, but they managed to maintain control of the game. They had seven attempts on target before the break, with their seventh effort finding the back of the net. Georgian striker Budu Zivzivadze managed to slip through Schalke's disorganized defensive line. The entire backline looked shaky, including Felipe Sanchez and Martin Wasinski, both of whom had created a stir at Schalke.
Manga's Political Duel
Signed by the new sporting director Ben Manga during the summer, the two 20-year-olds, Felipe Sanchez and Martin Wasinski, have not yet been utilized effectively by Coach Geraerts. Instead, he has favored midfielder Ron Schallenberg, who has struggled in his defensive role. Schalke's captain, Kenan Karaman, later commented: "The coach makes the decisions. I have no say in the matter. If the coach believes the team is best served with Ron in central defense, we will do our best to comply." He then added a highly controversial statement: "The coach must feel the situation."
These words may have appealed to Manga. The sporting director has shown little to no understanding of Geraerts' strategic plans. Publicly, he has criticized the coach, stating: "He has alternatives, he can tinker." Geraerts retorted: "I am giving everything for Schalke, I am not playing politics." A clarifying conversation has yet to take place, as Manga is currently on vacation. Instead, CEO Matthias Tillmann and sporting director Marc Wilmots have stepped in to address the situation. "We have discussed this matter," said Geraerts. The specifics of their discussion remain confidential.
What's next? Unclear. Geraerts responded with personnel changes, but was still disappointed. It wasn't just the young defenders who underperformed. The rest of the team remained subdued for a long time against Karlsruhe, who now temporarily top the 2. Bundesliga. It wasn't until midway through the second half that Schalke's players regained their spirits, showing more courage and suddenly creating opportunities. Schallenberg headed a ball just over the goal (61.), then striker Moussa Sylla missed from a good position (62.). Karlsruhe momentarily wavered, but then struck back harshly. Once again, Zivzivadze scored, putting the ball in the net at the end of a chaotic sequence in the penalty area.
Despite the manager's efforts with personnel changes, the second half showed a glimpse of improvement for Schalke. However, their resurgence was short-lived, as Karlsruhe continued their dominance in the 'Second football league,' temporarily securing the top position. The Belgian side's struggles persisted, with moments of potential danger failing to translate into goals, while Karlsruhe's Georgian striker, Budu Zivzivadze, continued to pose a significant threat, scoring yet another goal for his team.
