With the home win against Mainz 05, Schalke 04 have rewarded themselves for the last improvements in performance. A step in the right direction, which Marius Bülter also attributes to Thomas Reis.

Schalke had already shown a respectable performance last weekend, but were not able to reward themselves with points for this urgently needed improvement. This important step came a little late on Wednesday evening with the 1-0 home win over Mainz 05.

Once again, the royal blue showed themselves to be significantly improved in terms of play if you compare the time under Frank Kramer. The defense was stable and compact again, and there were finally good moments in possession on the offensive. All around, S04 seemed much more solid - and suitable for the first division.

A development step that Marius Bülter attributes to Thomas Reis. After just two weeks in office, he managed to create a kind of spirit of optimism in Gelsenkirchen.

"We're better able to create chances to score now," the offensive player drew a positive conclusion after the game (via kicker). In particular, playing out great opportunities was always a shortcoming. Not for a long time, but above all under Kramer. Now there is the previously legitimate hope that this will change under Reis.

Bülter explained the improvements: "We won't be the strongest team in the league, but we'll get into the last third well, defend more actively and don't fall behind so much, which means we'll win the balls further up the field."

Overall, the 29-year-old continues, the team is now acting "much braver". A credit to the coach, as he emphasized: "Thomas Reis lives by example."

When he took office, the coach had already made it clear that you won't win anything with your head down - despite the starting position in the table. You have to act courageously, have confidence in things and, above all, regain your self-confidence by learning the basics. In that regard, Schalke is currently on the right track.

However, nothing has been achieved so far. It remains extremely difficult to achieve relegation. That's why Bülter spoke of "only a very small step" that was taken. After all, you're still in last place. Nevertheless, it was important to finally win again. That should also give the fans "a good feeling", he explained. Especially since the victory was "not walled, but well deserved".

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Bülter praises the Schalke coach: "Thomas Reis sets an example".