Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Schalke 04 II beat 1. FC Gievenbeck 2-0 in a pre-season friendly, with second-half goals from Louis Tober (56') and Malik Tubić (70') after a goalless first half.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
The Regionalliga West side dominated possession from the outset but found Gievenbeck's compact defensive shape difficult to break down in the first half. The visitors, playing a tier below Schalke's reserves, held firm until the 56th minute.
Left-sided attacker Louis Tober broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, finishing calmly past the Gievenbeck goalkeeper. Tober, an athletic 20-year-old who joined Schalke 04 II from SC Freiburg II, showed the attacking instincts that prompted his summer move to Gelsenkirchen.
Malik Tubić doubled the lead in the 70th minute. The 18-year-old centre-forward, who progressed through Schalke's U19 setup, converted from close range to put the result beyond doubt.
Gievenbeck had a late opportunity to pull one back from the penalty spot in the 87th minute but saw their spot-kick missed, preserving Schalke's clean sheet.
The turning point
Tober's 56th-minute opener shifted the dynamic entirely. Gievenbeck had been organised and disciplined through a goalless first half, but once behind, they were forced to push forward, creating the spaces Tubić exploited 14 minutes later. The two-goal cushion within a 14-minute second-half spell effectively settled the contest before the missed penalty added to Gievenbeck's frustrations.
Key performers
- Louis Tober — scored the opening goal and provided width on the left flank throughout. His willingness to drive forward was a persistent threat.
- Malik Tubić — added the second goal to cap a lively performance. The U19 graduate continues to stake his claim for first-team minutes with Schalke's reserve side.
By the numbers — interpreted
The 0–0 half-time scoreline told of Gievenbeck's disciplined first-half organisation, but Schalke's superior fitness and individual quality told after the break. Two goals from open play reflected a side that grew into the game rather than overwhelming their opponents from the start. The missed penalty at 87' was Gievenbeck's best — and only clear — chance to alter the scoreline.
What it means
For Schalke 04 II, this is a solid start to pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026–27 Regionalliga West campaign. Gievenbeck, who finished 10th in the Oberliga Westfalen last season, will take encouragement from a stubborn first-half display but will need to address a lack of cutting edge in the final third. Schalke's next pre-season fixture is yet to be confirmed; Gievenbeck continue their own preparations for the upcoming Oberliga season.
Match Events
Key match events between Schalke 04 II and Gievenbeck — 3 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Missed Penalty
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 5 Jul 2026