FC Schalke 04 is currently two points behind the relegation rank. To stay up, the Knappen need surprises against stronger teams.
After the 0: 4 against SC Freiburg on Sunday (April 23, 2023), many a Schalke fan must have become scared and anxious. The Royal Blues from the Revier had no chance against the Champions League aspirants, the Knappen were even well served with four goals conceded. “We were in no way equal,” said coach Thomas Reis soberly.
Hammer hard Schalke remaining program
The inclined Knappen sympathizer was fearful not only because of his team’s lack of a chance against the Breisgau team, but also when he looked at the rest of the program in the relegation battle. Because it would be clear: It doesn’t get much easier than Freiburg. The home game against Bremen on the next matchday may still be the easiest task.
This is followed by Mainz, Bayern, Frankfurt and RB Leipzig, only opponents who are still fighting for places in the first third of the table – and for whom there is also a lot at stake as things stand today. Because none of the opponents has currently secured their place.
| 30th matchday | Werder Bremen (H) |
|---|---|
31st matchday | 1. FSV Mainz 05 (A) |
32nd matchday | Bayern Munich (A) |
33rd matchday | Eintracht Frankfurt (H) |
34th matchday | RB Leipzig (A) |
Fans as “biggest trump card”
In addition, there are only two home games left and Schalke have to play three times away from home. The miners need something like “magic weeks”. Two weeks ago, Reis swallowed hard and said: “Staying up in the rest of the program would be like a championship for us.”
Meanwhile, captain Danny Latza sees the biggest trump card in the fans, who didn’t boo the Knappen in Freibrug either. “The support has been amazing throughout the season,” said the midfielder after the game. Both Reis and Latza are already looking ahead to the extremely important game against Bremen. According to Reis, they want to perform there again like they did against Hertha BSC, where S04 won 5-2.
Full focus on Bremen
Latza emphasizes: “We’re full again against Werder. I have no idea where we would be without the spectators.” The Knappen put everything into the coming game – because with three points against Bremen you could jump to the relegation place if Stuttgart loses. And above all, gain a lot of self-confidence for the possible miracle in the Ruhr area.
