Düsseldorf – FC Schalke 04: Fans have no understanding – Geraerts’ decision causes criticism

The international break is over, the embarrassing defeat against Elversberg is halfway digested. In Düsseldorf, FC Schalke 04 was still under pressure again. Top opponents or not: the turnaround had to succeed.

But even before the floodlit game between Fortuna Düsseldorf and FC Schalke 04 kicked off, there was an initial outcry. Karel Geraerts made virtually no changes to his starting eleven. And he made three decisions that many fans didn’t agree with.

Düsseldorf – FC Schalke 04: Criticism of Geraerts’ decisions

Geraerts only changed in one position compared to the Elversberg disgrace: Ralf Fährmann returned to goal. “I’m giving them a second chance,” said Geraerts before the game about the almost unchanged lineup.

+++ Fortuna Düsseldorf – FC Schalke 04: Fans worried – what’s going on in the stadium? +++

A clear statement for which he received little understanding. In the state capital, the Belgian again relied on Bryan Lasme and Henning Matriciani. The fans weren’t happy about it at all.

“Does Geraerts want to annoy us?”

Lasme had hardly been able to offer anything to the S04 game apart from his speed, and he always had visibly problems with the ball. Matriciani has been going through a deep dip in form for some time now. Nevertheless, both were allowed to start again from the start. Fans had doubts about whether this was a good idea.

• “And again Matriciani and Lasme. I just do not understand…”
• “Matriciani and Lasme again. Does Geraerts want to annoy us?”
• “Oh, Matriciani and Lasme again, that surprises me.”
• “Lasme and Matriciani. That won’t work. What’s this crap?”

Instead of Lasme, many would have preferred to see Simon Terodde or talented Keke Topp in the starting line-up. And a third decision is being questioned. During the international break, Karel Geraerts gave Steven van der Sloot a chance for the first time. The Dutchman, at home as a right-back in Schalke’s biggest problem area, was able to impress in the friendly against Eindhoven. There was even special praise from Geraerts. However, he didn’t make it into the squad for Düsseldorf – FC Schalke 04. And because Cedric Brunner isn’t fit enough either, the out-of-form Matriciani ended up helping out on the right again.

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In the game, the fans saw themselves more than confirmed: However, it was not Matriciani and Lasme, but practically all of the Knappen who proved to be the weak point. FC Schalke 04 allowed themselves to be overrun by Fortuna Düsseldorf in the early stages, only got out of the starting blocks late and ended up suffering their ninth defeat of the season.