Bottom of the table against the leaders will be the motto on Saturday evening (kick-off 6:30 p.m.) in the Veltins Arena when FC Schalke 04 host FC Bayern Munich. While the Royal Blues were able to celebrate a 1-0 home win against Mainz 05 after seven defeats in competitive games during the week, the German record champions celebrated their ninth win in a row against Werder Bremen (6-1).
"There has to be one more shovel from us. You have to invest everything. The duels have to be conducted just as rigorously," emphasized Thomas Reis in view of the next and last opponent before the World Cup break. The Schalke coach was realistic on the one hand, but combative on the other: "Bayern come with a lot of self-confidence. We want to achieve the best possible result, which won't be easy, but isn't impossible." You shouldn't "have a stool in your chest" against FC Bayern, because otherwise you've already lost.
Apart from the long-term injuries, S04 has no recent failures to complain about. Due to the intensity of the Mainz game, one or the other "suffered injuries", but the status before the final training session was that all Schalke players who were last able to play will also be available on Saturday evening.
Since there were no new failures compared to the last two games and the performances were positive at the same time, Reis should want to change as little as possible. Insofar as everyone is fit, it is even conceivable that the starting XI will remain the same for the third time in a row. Alexander Schwolow will be in goal again. The improved central defense of Maya Yoshida and Henning Matriciani remains in place, as does Cedric Brunner at right-back. As a left-back, Tobias Mohr was less prone to making mistakes against the 05er than against Werder Bremen. Nevertheless, a change with Timothee Kolodziejczak would be conceivable. In midfield, Alex Kral and Tom Krauß will continue to play in the center. Danny Latza, who came on last, will not rotate into the starting XI. Marius Bülter remains on the left, Kenan Karaman will probably be allowed to play again on the right. Florent Mollet would have earned another place in the top eleven, but a swap with Dominick Drexler would be possible. The latter entails a more aggressive playing style against the ball. Simon Terodde will attack up front.
After a "turbulent half-year", Julian Nagelsmann also wants to win at Schalke. "Then we did a good job in all competitions. Not a perfect one, but a good one," explained the Bayern coach at the matchday press conference. "Schalke are now much more active on the ball. They keep the field very compact and played well against Bremen, so they can win there too," said the 35-year-old. "Now they've won and we think they're on the upswing a bit at the wrong time." The promoted team certainly has more self-confidence than a few weeks ago. "I'm looking forward to the game against Schalke in a great stadium with a good atmosphere. It will definitely be a tough game," said the native of Landsberg.
Sadio Mané (fibula head injury), Thomas Müller (muscular problems), Josip Stanisic (tonsillitis), Alphonso Davies (running training after a torn muscle fiber) and Bouna Sarr (knee surgery) are all absent from the duel with the bottom of the table. Matthijs de Ligt, on the other hand, is available again after stretching the medial ligament in his knee. "Matthijs no longer has any problems, he has trained and completed the final training session and will fly," said Nagelsmann.
As usual, captain Manuel Neuer guards the goal of the German record champions. Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano are likely to form central defense again. Should de Ligt be enough for the starting eleven, upamecano could be given a break and initially sit on the bench. Noussair Mazraoui and Lucas Hernandez are expected in defence. Nagelsmann will probably call up Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka again in central midfield. Marcel Sabitzer is the name of the first alternative. Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman are available to replace the injured Mané. The recently outstanding Serge Gnabry should start again as a right winger. Jamal Musiala in ten and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in attacking center complete the starting XI.
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This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Lineups: FC Schalke 04 vs FC Bayern Munich - who is playing? released.
