FC Schalke 04 is preparing for a challenging 90 minutes before the promotion duel in the 2nd Bundesliga against 1. FC Heidenheim.
“Their game is very strong, uncomfortable, robust. We have respect for what’s coming,” said sporting director Rouven Schröder on Thursday, “it’s going to be a tough fight.”
The Royal Blues will miss midfielder Victor Palsson on Saturday (1:30 p.m. / Sky) after a positive corona test. Thomas Ouwejan is suffering from calf problems and is questionable.
In the case of offensive man Rodrigo Zalazar, who last paused due to a bruised foot, coach Mike Büskens assumes “that he will be available to us again”.
In the clash between fourth-placed Schalke (50 points) and seventh-placed Heidenheim (45), Büskens is counting on a lot of support from the stands: “Regardless of the opponent, we all prefer to play in front of a full stadium. We live from the fact that the arena – especially in difficult moments – pushes. We’re looking forward to the biggest crowd we’ve had this season.”
The interim coach is not concerned with a possible failure, Büskens thinks positively. “It was almost four weeks ago that we were seven points behind the top three places. The pressure was at least as great then as it is now,” said the 54-year-old: “We can achieve a lot with our team. That’s why I feel the situation more as an opportunity than as a pressure.”