Bundesliga returnees Schalke 04 confirm a prominent new signing for the storm. Nevertheless, there can only be one goal in the new season. This also applies to fellow climbers Werder Bremen. Both clubs have a special offensive question mark.
They are 251 years old together and add up to 110 seasons in the Bundesliga: But tradition doesn’t score goals, and that’s why Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen are only concerned with not having anything to do with relegation. Because of the double one-year second division interlude, the perspectives of the two former Bundesliga greats have changed significantly.
“If we manage to stay up, that would have the same status as our rise. And that’s not false modesty,” said Schalke’s sporting director Peter Knäbel. Because the penultimate season is still gnawing at the self-confidence and self-image of the Royal Blues.
Schalke collected a total of 16 points in 34 games, 24 of which were lost. Similar signs of dissolution must not be repeated in Gelsenkirchen, which is also the responsibility of the new coach Frank Kramer.
“We’re really in the mood for Cologne,” said the S04 coach at the press conference before the season’s premiere game on Sunday (5:30 p.m. / DAZN and in the live ticker from ntv.de) at 1. FC Köln: “We’re really happy that it starts.” Shortly before the start of the league, the squad was reinforced by Swedish striker Jordan Larsson. Kramer: “Jordan suits us very well with the way he plays football. He’s always looking for one-on-ones and is always able to assert himself with his pace and technique.”
The 25-year-old son of striker icon Henrik Larsson, who terminated his contract with Spartak Moscow at the end of June, will be signed until 2025. “I’m very happy that the move has come about. Schalke 04 have made an impressive development over the past few months, which I’ve followed closely from afar,” commented the new Royal Blue attacker. “Jordan is totally emotional, he’s fully drawn to Schalke. I’ve rarely seen a player who asked so much about the club. He fits in wonderfully with our team and we’re glad he’s with us,” said Schalke’s sporting director Rouven Schroeder.
Compared to Schalke, SV Werder narrowly missed relegation 15 months ago. But the goal of the Hanseatic League is clearly aimed at remaining in the top tier of German professional football. This is exactly how Stefan Effenberg assesses the sporting situation of the duo.
“First of all, it will only be a matter of not having anything to do with relegation as soon as possible. Everything else should not even be thought of,” said the ex-national player in the SID interview. But you don’t want to freeze in awe on the Weser either. Coach Ole Werner: “We didn’t get promoted to see the top players up close. A ticket for the grandstand would have been enough.”
But the only 34-year-old coach, as a Bundesliga newcomer, is understandably particularly excited about the new sporting environment. It is clear to Werner that there can be no such thing as continuing on the field in league 1. “We want to keep our style of football as good as possible, but adjustments will still be necessary,” said the football coach. For himself, he added: “Basically, I’ve always had fun as a coach, no matter what league.”
For the North Germans, a lot will depend on whether the forward duo with Niclas Füllkrug and Marvin Ducksch proves to be accurate. At least Ducksch could not prove his first division maturity in the past at Borussia Dortmund, SC Paderborn and Fortuna Düsseldorf. “But now I’m older and stronger,” said the 28-year-old from “Sport-Bild”.
Schalke’s goalscorer Simon Terodde, who neither established himself permanently at VfB Stuttgart nor at 1. FC Köln, has a similar image. And his use at the league opener in Cologne is also endangered due to muscular problems.