After the final is before the final: FC Schalke 04 enjoyed a brilliant 5-2 home win in the basement duel against Hertha BSC for a few days, but now the next relegation final is on the agenda. Coach Thomas Reis revealed on the matchday PK how the miners want to survive on Sunday at Champions League candidate SC Freiburg.
With the exception of co-promoted Werder Bremen, only European Cup or even championship contenders are waiting for FC Schalke in the Bundesliga final sprint. But the Royal Blues also have to score points against the supposed favorites in order to be able to climb up one or two places in the table in the last few meters.
S04 is currently in relegation rank 17, only the goal difference separates the Gelsenkirchen team from VfB Stuttgart in relegation place 16.
Coach Reis is approaching the decisive phase of the season with the usual optimism. “We won all of the direct duels with the exception of Hoffenheim. It’s now our turn to get three points away from home. That will be difficult, but not impossible,” said the 49-year-old at the press conference before the away game at SC Freiburg Sunday (3:30 p.m.).
The trainer is satisfied with the progress of the past few months. “The team has learned to function. Many have accused them of not being suitable for the Bundesliga,” Reis recalled, summing up: “We’ve improved in many ways, but sometimes we fall into old patterns. But that’s normal. “
FC Schalke 04 again with Schwolow in goal
Against Freiburg, Schalke will definitely be missing three starting XI players from the previous week in Cedric Brunner, Tim Skarke and Ralf Fährmann. Eder Balanta will also not be able to take part, as will Maya Yoshida.
The Knappen goal will be guarded by Alexander Schwolow on loan at the weekend. Reis believes in the goalkeeper: “He has 194 Bundesliga games, that’s quite a number. We know what kind of performance he can show. He makes a good impression in training. He gives me and the team a very good feeling.”