FC Schalke has successfully completed the mission of promotion and can even look forward to winning the second division championship. 90min see how the royal blue players have fared this season.
Let’s start with the defensive players:
Langer only played in the first two games as a substitute for Fährmann. He sat on the bench for the rest of the season or, due to a cruciate ligament rupture, in the stands from early autumn.
Without rating.
Starting the season as number one, he made his last league appearance of the season on matchday seven. He was also between the posts when he was eliminated from the DFB Cup. In his games, he was not convincing in terms of play, but made comparatively few mistakes.
Rating 5/10
Fraisl came in the summer with the confident announcement that he did not want to sit on the bench. His goal was already fulfilled on the eighth match day. For the rest of the season he was the undisputed number one in the S04. Most of the time he was confident and confident, and also thwarted some of the opponents’ clear chances to score. Especially in the second half of the season, but also with increased uncertainties and gross mistakes.
Rating 7/10
It was the 20-year-old’s first real professional season. Aydin was able to assert himself against Ranftl early on and, with his carefree manner, made the fans happy. Overall, however, with very little impact on the game – not surprising. Missed a few games with a hamstring injury. But his scorpion kick goal is remembered.
Rating 6/10
Although Matriciani was often in the squad in the first half of the season, most of his eleven league appearances came in the second half of the season. The fact that he often had to help out on the right as a real central defender didn’t help him – but it still became clear that he didn’t have what it takes for the 2nd division.
Rating 4/10
Probably the biggest disappointment of the season, measured by the squad planning. Ranftl was to become the important person on the right, just as Ouwejan was on the left. Instead, he couldn’t really convince in a single game. Frequent mistakes, no danger from the hoped-for crosses and later with a necessary time-out.
Rating 2/10
Vindheim started the first game with a lot of energy and a very good performance. He scored one goal and one assist, plus two pre-assists. This was followed by a month-long injury break. Over the last four games, they were more of a follower than a top performer.
Rating 6/10
Undoubtedly one of the most important Schalke players for promotion. Even if he had ‘only’ eight direct assists in addition to his own three goals, his input from the game should not be underestimated. At the end of the season he also had to deal with problems, so he missed six games. His standard strength alone brought a lot of danger and relief.
Rating 9/10
Calhanoglu filled in the games where Ouwejan was out. He only made eleven appearances overall, but there were seven of those nominations for the starting eleven in the important final spurt of the season. He did his job well – no more, no less. It is obvious that he could not completely replace the Dutchman.
Rating 6/10
Wouters only played three times for Schalke and was never able to convince. Already in winter a loan took place. He spent the second half of the season at KV Mechelen.
Therefore without rating.
From a frequently seeded regular to a bench presser: Becker was on the pitch for S04 in all competitions (!) for just 120 minutes. In winter he went on loan to Hansa Rostock, where he played every single league game.
Without rating.
Thiaw may play like a veteran, but he is still a very young up-and-coming player. The 20-year-old played 28 games straight from the starting XI. As long as he was fit, he was actually always seeded. Always on the move with strong duel quotas, he ensured defensive stability. In the game forward now and then with dangerous bad passes.
Rating 8/10
Few Schalke players have been so underrated this season as has Kaminski. He has never played the most conspicuous games, but has always done his job very confidently. He made up for one or the other mistake in his position or his lack of speed in other places with his experience. He also has a few pre-assists from good crosses into the penalty area.
Rating 8/10
Sané missed the beginning of the season because of his knee problems, in the last few games he couldn’t find his way back onto the pitch – also due to training performance. When he played, he was good at hiding the absence of other centre-backs. But he only stood out because of his size.
Rating 5/10
Lode only came in winter and is primarily considered a perspective transfer for the next season. It was correspondingly difficult for him to force his way into the set central defence. He was only able to play six times, including twice as a right-back substitute. Overall, however, he could not show enough, that’s why without rating.
Although Itakura arrived in Gelsenkirchen with a little delay, he immediately convinced with his first performance. This first mission was also the only one in which he was not directly in the first eleven. Both in central defense and in defensive midfield: the Japanese knew how to convince with strength in tackles and a good opening of the game. In addition, he was even able to score four goals – a very worth seeing against Heidenheim.
Rating 9/10
