Schalke needs goals, so the return of two experienced offensive players ahead of the basement battle against Regensburg is encouraging. This is how the S04 coach approaches the game.

FC Schalke 04 will face a crucial home game against Jahn Regensburg on Sunday (1:30 p.m.). Schalke, currently in sixteenth place, will host Regensburg, which is in last place.

Schalke coach Kees van Wonderen is determined to finally celebrate his first victory with his new team. If he doesn’t succeed, Schalke could even lose this game and be threatened by the relegation spot if Braunschweig scores against HSV before them.

It is clear that the coach and his team are under a lot of pressure again early on after another disappointing season. At the pre-match press conference, van Wonderen emphasized: “Regensburg have won their last two games. We expect an organized team. We also expect to have more of the ball. We have to play at a high tempo, find the spaces between the lines, get behind the chain. That’s what we’re preparing for.”

And the Dutchman is clear that a defeat or a draw are not really options. That’s why he says: “Success has to come quickly. But when I see the players, how full of energy they are, I look confidently ahead to the game on Sunday.”

But when I see the players, how full of energy they are, I look confidently ahead to the game on Sunday

Kees van Wonderen

Former Schalke professional Tim Hoogland will then be a new member of his coaching team for the first time. Van Wonderen: “Tim has made a very good impression. He fits in very well with the others.”

The coach has other reasons to be cheerful: Christopher Antwi-Adjei and Moussa Sylla are two experienced players returning to the offense, who can give new impetus to the recently weak offense.

On the other hand, Ibrahima Cissé, who is ill and staying with the U23s, will continue to be absent. His coach explained: “He is still unable to train or play. He first has to get to a physically good level. When Jakob Fimpel tells me that he is at the level he needs for the first team, we’ll bring him back. But I haven’t heard that from Jakob yet.”

This is how FC Schalke could line up against Jahn Regensburg:

Heekeren, Bulut, Kalas, Kaminski, Murkin, Grüger, Seguin, Schallenberg, Mohr, Sylla, Karaman.

Missing: Cissé (rehabilitation training), Gantenbein (muscular problems), Höjlund (muscular problems), Lasme (muscular problems).