The Schalke formula “Cross Ouwejan, finish Terodde, goal “ hasn’t worked recently, the Dutchman has less freedom.
The Schalke players ran up and down half the field on Tuesday, chasing the quick drops of the keeper. In the switching game, offensive solutions had to be found, how to profitably convert incoming passes or over-the-top situations.
The Bundesliga relegated team has been lacking tempo and dynamism of the kind seen in the cold and wet afternoon session, which Salif Sané had to abandon due to suspected muscle problems, but it is urgently needed for a successful performance at Werder Bremen. Overall. “some things have to change,” finds Thomas Ouwejan.
We didn’t create as many chances as we did in the games we won before. That has to change again.
The left-back was still one of the best Schalkers even in the defeats at Heidenheim and against Darmstadt, even if he did not manage another scoring point. In general: “We didn’t create as many chances as we did in the games we won before. That has to change again,” the Dutchman remarked critically.
Tension also increased in the dressing room
The recent negative series has predictably overshadowed the international break, and tension has also risen in the dressing room. “When you lose two games in a row in the league, we naturally put ourselves under pressure, “ says Ouwejan and knows the simple solution: “We have to get points and we want this win in Bremen at all costs.”
To do that, the Knappen need a goal threat, via the right side, through the centre and not only via the left, where the 25-year-old has felt more opposition lately anyway. “I notice that the opponents have changed. In the first games I had more freedom, was left alone more often, had more space for my actions “, says Ouwejan: “Now there is often an opponent close to me, sometimes even two.” A change, “but I have to live with that. And as a team we have to make sure we get chances in other ways as well. “
Ouwejan “feels comfortable and wants to get even better “
At the same time, the increased man-to-man defence is also a tribute to the performances so far. The player on loan from AZ Alkmaar has six assists and one goal so far. “It was the right decision to move to Schalke, definitely. I always play and I feel comfortable here,” said Ouwejan: “I’m happy with the performances so far, but I want to get even better. “
Dream of the Bundesliga
The Dutchman is also playing directly for his future. A stay if promoted would be as good as certain, even if he doesn’t want to think about it yet. “I am concentrating on this season. I hope we get promoted. If we continue with the performances of our wins, we also have a good chance.” And with that, he has the chance to achieve a big goal: “I want to play in the Bundesliga, that’s a dream of mine. “
