Schalke is running out of players, but the coach isn’t complaining. This is how he’s approaching the 90 minutes against SV Elversberg.

After the late shock at Karlsruher SC, FC Schalke faces another team from the upper half of the table on Saturday (1 p.m.).

Second against third, Schalke against Elversberg. S04 coach Miron Muslic has the problem that he will be missing many players and will have to improvise against Elversberg. Nine players are definitely out. The question marks behind Hasan Kurucay and Finn Porath are getting smaller; they seem to be fit for the top match.

One thing is clear: it will be a decisive game. With a win, Schalke could move into first place if Paderborn does not win in Magdeburg. A defeat would mean a third competitive defeat in a row.

That’s why Muslic emphasized in his press conference ahead of Saturday’s 90 minutes: “Every single absence hurts us, even the mass ones. It’s another challenge. We will tackle that as a collective, as a team. Janik Bachmann has a heel injury, we will miss him. Also Amin Younes – which I am very, very sorry about. Amin was on the right track and did well both times against Darmstadt. He should have started on Saturday, but now he’s feeling a slight twinge in his thigh.“

This means that the S04 coach will have to continue improvising. And that against an opponent he has great respect for. ”They’ve had an outstanding second half of the season and have continued to perform well despite many changes. They have incredible quality and structure and three or four players with very high individual quality. It’s going to be a tough one.“

Elversberg will definitely be looking to attack, and Muslic believes it could be an attractive game: ”I think it will be an offensive game. Because we also have a lot of quality in attack – despite the absences.”

This is how FC Schalke could line up against SV Elversberg

Karius – Ayhan, Katic, Kurucay – Wallentowitz, El-Faouzi, Schallenberg, V. Becker – Porath, Karaman – Sylla

Missing: Antwi-Adjei (calf injury), T. Becker (torn ligament), Gantenbein (5th yellow card), Gomis (thigh injury), E. Höjlund (foot injury), Kalas (knee injury), Lasme (calf injury), Bachmann (heel injury), Younes (muscle problems)

Suspension looming: V. Becker