Good preparation is half the battle, and Dimitrios Grammozis is well prepared. He wrote down the names of the injured Schalke players on a large piece of paper, and at the digital press conference before the game against Mainz 05 (Friday, 8.30 p.m. / DAZN), he also managed to pronounce them correctly and without confusion. Christian Gross, who was on leave on Sunday, did not always succeed, which apparently annoyed part of the team.
So now Dimitrios Grammozis: Another new start that is supposed to create something like a spirit of optimism – but that doesn’t change the fact that Grammozis also has to take on a heavy mortgage from his predecessors.
Because the list of injured is just as long as before: Ralf Fährmann, Matija Nastasic, Nassim Boujellab, Salif Sané, Steven Skrzybski, Mark Uth, Kilian Ludewig, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and also Nabil Bentaleb – they are all either injured at in rehab or in advanced training.
Rönnow before returning
The only possible return is Frederik Rönnow – the goalkeeper still has slight problems with the adductors, but may be able to play again against Mainz.
On the day of the match, Grammozis will train again in the morning. Focus: standard situations – opposing ones. Schalke have big problems here, the game in Stuttgart, when three goals were conceded directly or after corners, was a prime example of this. The first division coach debutant is in good spirits that he can bring about changes in this regard for the Mainz game: “I have very specific ideas about how my team should act in such situations. We don’t have anything to give away – so we can’t say: It will somehow work. “
“Nobody lets their heads down”
Too often it didn’t work, not only with opposing standards – the fact that Schalke are beaten at the bottom of the table with nine points after 23 Bundesliga games also has many other reasons. Grammozis has already obeyed the team and is pleased that the players are actively involved in the exchange: “Nobody lets their heads down here.”
Gross also tried to convey this optimistic attitude like a prayer wheel until he was kicked out – Grammozis is now starting a new attempt. The starting position is clear: If Schalke wins, we can speculate a bit again. In the event of a defeat, those who believe “as long as it is still mathematically possible” would slowly descend into the realm of ridiculousness.
One coach for two leagues
Grammozis is a man for both cases / for both leagues: If he is relegated with Schalke, he will not be blamed for it and he can tackle the Second League project; if he succeeds in the miracle, he will have to be a model for a monument.
It’s just unusual times that forced Schalke to circumvent the usual order when filling positions: first assistant coach (Mike Büskens), then head coach (Grammozis), and soon maybe a new sports director. “In an ideal world,” said Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Dr. Jens Buchta in the digital members’ question and answer session “Mitgeredet”, “The order would have been exactly the other way around. But the world is not ideal at the moment. “
Mainz upswing thanks to Heidel
Incidentally, not in Mainz either. But Schalke’s controversial ex-sports director Christian Heidel ensured through personnel changes that we can hope and reckon again. Schalke’s bearer of hope is now called Dimitrios Grammozis. In any case, he is well prepared for his new job.
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