Schalke 04 have two key games in the Bundesliga relegation battle coming up. Midfielder Dominick Drexler demands two wins.

The “weeks of truth” have been proclaimed at Schalke 04 these days and the professionals also know what is at stake against VfB Stuttgart this Saturday (6.30pm/Sky) and in the following away game at VfL Bochum. “If we want to stay in the league, we have to win both games,” midfielder Dominick Drexler (32) made clear in an interview with Sky.

Schalke are currently six points behind Stuttgart and Bochum at the bottom of the table. As one of the team’s veterans, Drexler is certain that games against direct rivals are primarily decided in the mind: “Despite all the tactical instructions from the coach, the decisive factor in such games is who wants the win more, who can go beyond the limit.”

And the 32-year-old assures that he and his teammates are ready for the upcoming key games – despite the expectations. “Anyone who doesn’t want to play there or thinks the pressure is too high has missed the job,” he explained.

With both Soichiro Kozuki (22) and Tim Skarke (26) out for the game against Stuttgart in the attacking wing positions, Drexler is a candidate for the starting line-up – as he was in the 0-0 draw with Union Berlin the previous week. As one of Schalke’s few creative players, he could ensure that S04’s goal drought finally comes to an end. Drexler has already contributed three assists and two goals in the current Bundesliga season. In the first leg, in the 1-1 draw in Stuttgart, he was also instrumental in the Schalke goal with his assist.