FC Schalke 04 is going into the top match against Borussia Dortmund with confidence. In the first women’s derby in history, there is “no need to hide from BVB,” says coach Stefan Colmsee.
There was huge joy at FC Schalke 04 after their 1-0 win at FC Iserlohn last Sunday. The away win against the third-placed team means that the eagerly awaited top-of-the-table clash against Borussia Dortmund will take place on Sunday (4 p.m., RS live ticker).
BVB goes into the first women’s derby in history with only a one-point lead. Schalke has seven wins and two draws in the Westfalenliga, while BVB has won eight times and lost once. With a win at the Parkstadion, the Royal Blues could knock BVB off its throne.
“It was a very important victory against a very strong opponent, which keeps us on track to achieve our goal,” said a proud Schalke coach Stefan Colmsee after the victory in Iserlohn. Now the team can calmly prepare for the top match against Dortmund.
Despite the special circumstances, the team does not want to change much about its usual routine. There will be no major changes. “We want to stick to our routines and our usual training schedule. We are preparing for this game like any other. I think we are doing the right thing by focusing in this way,” explains Colmsee.
However, the coach is well aware that this will be the biggest game of many players’ careers: “You can already feel that there’s a lot going on around the game. But we want to concentrate on what we can do: play soccer.” Even if the tension is sure to increase as the week progresses.
When I look at my team, I know that I have a very good squad with experienced players and a few young wild ones.
Stefan Colmsee
The goal is to regain pole position from BVB. “A win or a loss won’t change anything for now. No one has ever been promoted in October or November. But we would of course like to regain the lead with a win,” says Colmsee confidently.
Even though the S04 coach sees FC Iserlohn and perhaps also Bielefeld II in the promotion battle until the end of the season, BVB and Schalke are of course the big favorites to make the jump to the Regionalliga. “Both teams have individual and team qualities. We know that Dortmund has signed some established players in recent years,” Colmsee explains. ”But when I look at my team, I also know that I have a very good squad with experienced players and a few young wild ones.”
His conclusion: “In terms of quality, we don’t have to hide from BVB, and that’s how we’ll play.” The Gelsenkirchen native promises: “We’ll bring the attributes that define Schalke 04, namely fighting spirit and passion, to the pitch from the first to the last minute.”