Kramer endorses back-three ahead of Hoffenheim match

FC Schalke 04 trainer Frank Kramer suggested that he was pleased with the three-man defensive chain he switched to last week against Leverkusen this coming Friday against Hoffenheim.

In an effort to turn things around in last Saturday’s 0-4 loss to Leverkusen, S04 head-coach Frank Kramer tried out a three-man back-line in the second half. The subbed on duo of Thomas Ouwejan and Mehmet Aydin handled served as the wingbacks while Cedric Brunner, Leo Greiml, and Maya Yoshida handled matters behind them. Results weren’t exactly spectacular, with the gaffer admitted that he had trained the team in this constellation during the week.
“We sat down together after the Leverkusen game and analyzed everything,” Kramer said at his Thursday presser, “The three-man backfield has the advantage that you have three players in the center. With one more player, you are more stable and compact. That’s a possibility for us.”

Dutch left-back Thomas Ouwejan – at times one of the few bright sports for die Knappen during this lackluster start to the season – is definitely one actor who could benefit from moving up from the fullback position to the attacking rail. Kramer appeared to reference this implicitly. It’s already likely that Ouwejan will start in the absence of the questionable Tobias Mohr.

“The outfielders can be positioned higher and are closer to the goal when sending in crosses,” Kramer also noted without specifically mentioning Ouwejan’s name.

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