FC Schalke 04 is in crisis. On Friday evening, leaders St. Pauli visit the Arena. The coach makes five changes.
This time, the FC Schalke 04 professionals were in a particular hurry. They arrived at the Veltins-Arena two hours before kick-off of the home game against FC St. Pauli (18:30/Sky) – around 45 minutes earlier than usual. It’s a very special second division match day: no buses or trains are running due to the Verdi strike, the streets around the arena are full – and there’s a lot at stake for the Royal Blues in the relegation battle.
Schalke’s professionals sat down for two hours after the disgraceful performance in Magdeburg a week ago (0:3) and spoke out. Is there an effect? Coach Karel Geraerts, who has also been criticized by some of the professionals, came up with a special line-up for this match. He changed his starting eleven in five positions: Derry Murkin, Simon Terodde, Bryan Lasme, Yusuf Kabadayi and Brandon Soppy come into the team for Timo Baumgartl (stand) as well as Blendi Idrizi, Darko Churlinov, Cedric Brunner and Marcin Kaminski (all bench). Ron Schallenberg plays in central defense for the first time. Tobias Mohr and Henning Matriciani (both ill) are missing from the squad.
But even if his ideas work out and the player’s vow to fight back has a positive effect, it will be difficult for Schalke. St. Pauli are confident leaders and have only lost one of their 23 second division games. Coach Fabian Hürzeler (31) has done almost everything right so far – out of 44 competitive matches under his management, the Kiezkickers have only lost four. “This is the best team in the league, without a doubt,” said S04 coach Geraerts.
Schalke’s professionals sat down for two hours after the disgraceful performance in Magdeburg a week ago (0:3) and talked. Is there an effect? Coach Karel Geraerts, who has also come in for criticism from some of the professionals, came up with a special line-up for this match. He changed his starting eleven in five positions: Derry Murkin, Simon Terodde, Bryan Lasme, Yusuf Kabadayi and Brandon Soppy come into the team for Timo Baumgartl (stand) as well as Blendi Idrizi, Darko Churlinov, Cedric Brunner and Marcin Kaminski (all bench). Ron Schallenberg plays in central defense for the first time. Tobias Mohr and Henning Matriciani (both ill) are missing from the squad.
But even if his ideas work out and the player’s vow to fight back has a positive effect, it will be difficult for Schalke. St. Pauli are confident leaders and have only lost one of their 23 second division games. Coach Fabian Hürzeler (31) has done almost everything right so far – out of 44 competitive matches under his management, the Kiezkickers have only lost four. “This is the best team in the league, without a doubt,” said S04 coach Geraerts.
That means: St. Pauli are the heavy favorites and have already beaten Schalke twice this season, in the first leg (3:1) and in the DFB Cup (2:1 after extra time). Coach Hürzeler warns: “We have to ignore the table. FC Schalke 04 are an extremely unpleasant opponent with great individual quality and their fans behind them. We have a lot of respect for them. It’s going to be loud and we’ll be up against a very, very tough opponent.”
How Schalke 04 and FC St. Pauli will play
Schalke 04: Müller – Soppy, Schallenberg, Kalas, Murkin – Seguin – Kabadayi, Ouwejan – Karaman – Lasme, Terodde. Coach: Geraerts
FC St. Pauli: Vasilj – Wahl, Smith, Mets – Saliakas, Kemlein, Irvine, Treu – Metcalfe, Hartel, Afolayan. Coach: Hürzeler
Referee: Daniel Siebert
