FC Schalke 04 will host Holstein Kiel on Friday evening. Coach Thomas Reis comments on the absences of Kenan Karaman and Dominick Drexler.
After the 0:1 defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig, FC Schalke 04 is challenged to show a reaction in the home match against Holstein Kiel on Friday evening (18:30, RS-Liveticker).
The Königsblauen will have to do without two important players: attacker Kenan Karaman and midfielder Dominick Drexler are out. Both suffered muscle injuries in the defeat in Braunschweig and will miss several weeks.
“Definitely until the international break”, coach Thomas Reis will not be able to count on the duo, as he explained at the press conference on Wednesday. Accordingly, Karaman and Drexler could return to the team for the home match against 1. FC Magdeburg on 16 September at the earliest.
Sebastian Polter will also be absent against Kiel. The striker, who has so far had to line up behind the seeded Simon Terodde, is still suffering from a laceration to his toe, which already cost him a squad spot last weekend. “In all likelihood he will be available against Wiesbaden,” said Reis.
It is well known that the Schalkers are still looking for reinforcements a good week before the transfer deadline. The defence, and in particular the left side of defence, is the focus of the search, Reis reiterated on Wednesday.
At the same time, the 49-year-old coach emphasised that he has one hundred percent confidence in the current squad. And this despite the poor start to the season with defeats in Hamburg (3:5) and Braunschweig and the less than convincing performance in the only win against 1. FC Kaiserslautern (3:0 in double overtime).
This bumpy start to the season means that the pressure is already mounting on the Gelsenkirchen side on matchday four. However, Reis does not believe that things could get restless in the stands – as long as his team puts in a committed performance. “You have to step on the gas and plough up the turf. It’s up to us. If we step on the gas, the fans will be behind us. “