Schalke 04 begins Bundesliga preparation with fan-attended training

FC Schalke 04, newly promoted to the Bundesliga, has officially kicked off their preparation for the upcoming season. The team held its first public training session on Sunday afternoon at Berger Feld, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 3,700 fans.

Head coach Miron Muslic expressed his delight at the start of the season and the strong fan turnout, stating, "It feels like home again and like work." He acknowledged the significant challenge ahead, labeling the Bundesliga season as an "XXL challenge." Muslic emphasized the need for the team to elevate their performance across all aspects – physical, athletic, technical, tactical, and mental – to compete at the higher level.

The club has already secured two new signings: Junior Adamu from SC Freiburg and Satoshi Tanaka from Fortuna Düsseldorf. Muslic praised their profiles, noting they fit perfectly with the team's playing philosophy and address needs in central midfield and attack. However, the team is still awaiting clarity on the future of striker Edin Dzeko, a crucial player last season, whose contract expired on July 1st.

Captain Kenan Karaman also hopes for further reinforcements to the squad, stating, "Every new signing is very welcome." Schalke's first competitive match is scheduled for August 24th in the DFB-Pokal against Halleschen FC, followed by their Bundesliga opener four days later against FC Augsburg. The team will also participate in several test matches and a training camp in the Stubai Valley before the season commences.