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German 2.Bundesliga: Schalke 04 vs Eintracht Braunschweig
Kickoff Time: 2023-08-04 02:30(HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Edgar Su
Schalke 04 was relegated from the Bundesliga in the 2022-23 season. The team’s performance was disappointing last season, finishing in 10th place. In this summer’s transfer window, Schalke 04 made significant investments and brought in several strong players. Among them, the most eye-catching is forward Moussa Sylla from Mali. He likes to play on the wings and poses a threat in terms of breakthroughs. Last season, Moussa scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in the French Ligue 2. In terms of the midfield and defense, the team signed Ron-Thorben Hoffmann and Anton Donkor both former main players from Eintracht Braunschweig. They intend to restructure the defense. Last season, Schalke 04 conceded 60 goals, the fifth highest in the 2. Bundesliga, and the defensive weaknesses were a major reason for the team’s poor performance. In the preseason friendly matches, the team underwent tactical reforms. For example, in the 0-0 draw against FC Twente, they used a 3-5-2 formation in the first half and switched to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half. It was the first time Schalke 04 used a 4-defender formation, which added two attacking players on the wings and created more scoring opportunities than before.
Eintracht Braunschweig was promoted from the German 3.Liga in the 2021-22 season. They finished in 15th place in the last two seasons, barely avoiding relegation. Due to the team’s lack of competitiveness, many key players from last season sought transfers. Additionally, the club had limited transfer funds and could only sign players on free transfers, mostly young talents. According to statistics, 14 players left the club in this summer’s transfer window, but on the other hand, 14 new recruits joined. The team’s strength has declined compared to last season. It can be said that the team’s lineup cohesion is not high in the early stages of the season, and there may be an increase in passing mistakes. Currently, the highest valued player in the team is French striker Rayan Philippe. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in the 2. Bundesliga last season, being the team’s main attacking threat. In the preseason friendlies, Eintracht Braunschweig played against weaker opponents to boost the players’ confidence. Although they had a winning streak, the results were not convincing.
Schalke 04 signed Eintracht Braunschweig’s defensive core players, which means they are aware of the opponent’s defensive tactics and weaknesses, and they will surely make targeted arrangements. Additionally, this year is the 120th anniversary of Schalke 04’s establishment as a club, so they will be united and determined to achieve a winning start in their first home game of the new season.
Schalke 04’s Last 5 Games: DLWDL
24-07-25 Schalke 04 0-0 FC Twente
24-07-19 Schalke 04 0-2 FC Utrecht
24-07-19 SC Verl 0-1 Schalke 04
24-07-13 Schalke 04 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv
24-07-10 Schalke 04 2-4 FC Midtjylland
Eintracht Braunschweig’s Last 5 Games: WWWWD
24-07-27 Eintracht Braunschweig 5-1 VfL Osnabruck
24-07-21 Eintracht Braunschweig 3-2 Energie Cottbus
24-07-13 Eintracht Braunschweig 3-1 Blau-Weiss Lohne
24-07-13 SV Drochtersen/Assel 0-7 Eintracht Braunschweig
24-07-05 Basel 1-1 Eintracht Braunschweig
Head To Head Record:
24-02-03 Schalke 04 1-0 Eintracht Braunschweig
23-08-20 Eintracht Braunschweig 1-0 Schalke 04
23-08-21 Eintracht Braunschweig 1-3 Schalke 04
13-03-22 Schalke 04 3-1 Eintracht Braunschweig
13-10-19 Eintracht Braunschweig 2-3 Schalke 04
Prediction: Schalke 04 to win