Today was the best so far. Ran on the treadmill at c.3.55s for 15km and then saw Jack train indoors including his beep test (they are massive into agility and strength here - in fact the whole ethos of Schalke is underpinned by hard work). It is the working man's club from the coal mining era.
More themes came out today why Schalke is so successful in generating players:
1. They work harder - fitness is key
2. They replicate game situations as much as possible, creating pressure (not the other way)
3. The Ruhr Gebiet (or the 'Pot') is home to so many football teams: Dortmond, Leverkusen, Bochum, Köln etc which means that the academy teams play quality opposition every week. Most of the Germans national players come from this area for this reason.
After lunch Sam took us on the stadium tour follow by more training and then the game vs Frankfurt (where Jack was born) in the full 60k+ stadium with the roof on. I hate to say it but the atmosphere was even better than at Selhurst and the Nord Kurve were unbelievable. A great game with Schalke winning 2 0 with Leroy Sane the new starlet scoring the second right in front of us. This club is something else. I serously recommend seeing a game here. The Nord Kurve (stand) has 25k just behind one goal and they continually jump up and down through the game.
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