Kees van Wonderen’s first game as Schalke coach. Before heading to Hannover, he announced that he would not decide on the goalkeeper until after four games.

On Saturday (1 p.m.), FC Schalke will play their first game with new coach Kees van Wonderen in the 2nd Bundesliga. And it’s going to be a tough one.

They are traveling to Hannover 96, and coach Stefan Leitl’s team has been the strongest side in front of their home crowd so far. All four games have been won at home, with the 96ers dropping no points against Jahn Regensburg, HSV, Kaiserslautern, and 1. FC Nürnberg.

So there are easier tasks to start with – van Wonderen explained how he intends to approach the task at the press conference before the game.

van Wonderen on…

… the personnel at his disposal: “Adrian Gantenbein and Christopher Antwi-Adjei are still injured. Ibrahima Cissé will return from international duty on Friday.”…

his first days at Schalke: “It feels like home, the club is so professional. I’m enjoying working with the players and the squad. Hopefully I’ll have fun on Saturday too.”

… the opponents from Hannover: “I know they have a strong team and that they’ve won all their home games. They have experienced players and are very mobile between the lines. They’re definitely a very dangerous team at home. But that’s also good for us: we’ll be challenged. It will be interesting for me to see how far we’ve come and how we can defend ourselves against quality on the pitch. I’m looking forward to it.”

… the goalkeeper question: “The decision has been made. Before the press conference, I spoke with Ron-Thorben Hoffmann and Justin Heekeren. In my opinion, we have four very good goalkeepers. We have decided on the following solution. The first game away in Hannover is a big one. Thorben will play there, and he will also be in goal against Fürth. Then we travel to Augsburg for the cup, where Justin will be in goal. Justin will also be in goal for the following league game against Ulm. Then both will have had two games, and we’ll be on the road for three and a half weeks. Then I’ll be in a better position to say who will be in goal after that. I’m in no rush. When I make a decision, I have to be able to justify it. But to do that, you have to have worked with the players for a certain amount of time.”

This is how FC Schalke could line up against Hannover 96

Hoffmann – Aydin, Kalas, Kaminski, Murkin – Seguin, Schallenberg – Younes, Mohr – Sylla, Karaman

Missing: Antwi-Adjei (muscular thigh injury)

Suspended: Karaman