Schalke 04 has conceded 13 goals in its last four games against Magdeburg. What will happen on Saturday at 1 p.m.?

1. FC Magdeburg has not made it easy for FC Schalke 04 in the last two years in the second division; on the contrary: Fans will still be remembering all four games in a few years’ time. In the 2023/2024 season, Schalke were shown up at home, quickly falling 0-2 behind, but ultimately winning 4-3 with a man advantage. The return leg ended 3-0 for Magdeburg, the worst in a series of many poor games. In the 2-2 draw at the Avnet Arena last season, many S04 fans missed the game due to excessive security checks, and the 2-5 defeat in the return leg meant the end of all hopes of promotion. Magdeburg has recently become a formidable opponent. How will it go this time, on Saturday at 1 p.m. (live on Sky)?

One thing is different compared to the first four games: Christian Titz, the father of Magdeburg’s individual possession-based football, is no longer the coach. Titz was looking for a new challenge, moved to Hannover and stormed straight to the top there. His successor at FCM, Markus Fiedler (who came from VfB Stuttgart’s U23 team), has hardly changed Magdeburg’s style, but luck has deserted him. While Magdeburg almost got promoted a year ago, after five games they are now second from bottom. Magdeburg has already lost four games. Four shots hitting the post or crossbar are even the best in the second division. In the home defeats against Braunschweig (0-1, first matchday) and Fürth (4-5, fourth matchday), FCM had a significantly better xGoals value and a clear advantage in shots on goal.

Striker Martijn Kaars (FC St. Pauli) left FCM shortly before the end of the transfer window, but other pillars from last season’s success are still there: goalkeeper Dominik Reimann, defenders Jean Hugonet and Marcus Mathisen, midfielder Silas Gnaka, and offensive dribbler Baris Atik.

Muslic is therefore not focusing on the league table: “Magdeburg creates a lot of chances, plays attacking football, but is not currently being rewarded for its efforts. We are up against a well-rehearsed team that is clearly coached according to the same idea as a year ago: a lot of possession, technical football, keeping the ball moving.” Magdeburg has averaged 54 percent possession so far, a top value, while Schalke is far down the table with 45 percent. It’s not difficult to predict how the game will go. But it is Magdeburg’s preferred style of play that makes Muslic particularly optimistic. “It’s a style of soccer that suits us,” said the coach. “If we can get our defensive structure back on the pitch, we can win a lot of balls. That will be the plan. We were disappointed after the last home game, but we’ve turned that disappointment into something positive.” During his previous spells at Bruges and Plymouth, Muslic achieved particularly good results against teams that had a lot of possession.

Fiedler ahead of Schalke game: “We’re sitting there with too few points”

In contrast to Muslic, who is being celebrated by the fans after a good start, Markus Fiedler is already under pressure. The successes of recent years, with Titz taking over Magdeburg in the 3rd division and almost leading them to the Bundesliga, have raised expectations. The stadium is sold out once again. “We are undoubtedly lacking points. It’s not just about improving as a team in defense, but also about performing better individually. The details are not yet where they need to be to get points in the end,” said Fiedler.

He spoke highly of the opponent, even though Magdeburg and Schalke were worlds apart on the pitch last season. “Schalke is a traditional club with enormous power. Schalke’s goal is certainly to play a better role in the second division, and in the best case scenario, even to get involved in the promotion race,” explained Fiedler. However, Schalke is “exactly the right opponent at the right time to give it our all together with the fans so that we can turn things around.” Schalke suited Magdeburg: in the last four games, they scored 13 goals – more than three on average…