FC Schalke want to extend their short run against SV Elversberg. The coach will have to do without six players.
The last two victories against Hannover 96 and 1. FC Nürnberg have allowed FC Schalke to pull away from the bottom places in Bundesliga 2.
The Royal Blues want to use their new-found confidence to make up further ground in the league. The start will be made on Friday (6:30 pm) against SV Elversberg, after which there are also doable tasks (against VfL Osnabrück and Hansa Rostock) with the exception of Fortuna Düsseldorf.
However, S04 coach Karel Geraerts will again be without Assan Ouedraogo against Elversberg. The 17-year-old is still not fit for action, but will travel to the DFB U17 national team this Thursday, Schalke 04 announced on Wednesday.
In addition to the talented midfielder, Cedric Brunner, Leo Greiml, Marius Müller and Paul Seguin are also out, while Kenan Karaman is fit and in the squad
Ahead of the 90 minutes, the coach emphasized at the pre-match press conference that there are voices saying they have to beat the small club Elversberg. “I told the boys from day one this week that we were playing against a strong opponent, they have a great coach. They know what they want and what they don’t want. It will be very difficult, we’re starting from scratch, we have great respect for Elversberg. “
It’s no secret, when you win, the atmosphere gets better straight away
Karel Geraerts
This is the first time they have played in front of such an imposing backdrop as Schalke, but Geraerts does not believe it will paralyze them. “I don’t know how the players will react to the crowd. But I know they can handle pressure, otherwise they wouldn’t have been promoted twice in a row. But it’s also important that we look after ourselves.”
After the last six points, the Royal Blues’ self-confidence is also growing, which the coach confirms: “It’s no secret that when you win, the atmosphere gets better straight away. The players are having fun in training, but they are also focused. But just because we’ve won twice in a row doesn’t guarantee the next win.”
This is how FC Schalke could play against SV Elversberg
Fährmann – Matriciani, Kaminski, Murkin, Kalas, Ouwejan – Drexler, Tempelmann, Schallenberg – Karaman, Lasme
Missing: Brunner (groin problems), Greiml (cruciate ligament rupture), M. Müller (torn tendon in adductor area), Ouedraogo (U17 DFB team), Mohr, Seguin (ill)
In danger of suspension: Kaminski