Late on Sunday afternoon, Schalke will play the first game after Frank Kramer was released. It was a necessary step that even came too late for some fans.

Against Hertha BSC, assistant coach Matthias Kreutzer will take over on an interim basis and stand on the sidelines. "I currently have no ambitions to take on a head coaching position," he emphasized the short-lived nature of this task (via WAZ). That was also "very clearly and clearly" communicated.

"It's difficult to adjust things in three sessions. The core elements should be addressed, that we have more goal threat and have to be more stable defensively," he also explained, which was the focus of the few training days in preparation. It is also important to get the balance back under control and thus make improvements in both defense and attack.

Kreutzer continued: "The number of goals conceded is too high, the number of own opportunities too few." It would be all the more important for royal blue to be able to set an exclamation mark in the relegation battle duel with the capital club.

With Marcin Kaminski, Sepp van den Berg, Leo Greiml and Ibrahima Cissé, four central defenders are out - sometimes even longer. That's why Schalke decided to sign guest player Timothée Kolodziejczak. "There is a possibility that he will be in the starting XI in Berlin," said Kreutzer.

In addition, S04 must continue without Rodrigo Zalazar. His metatarsal fracture will still bother him for a month or two.

TW: Alexander Schwolow - despite the recent flood of goals conceded, the number one hasn't been shaken. After all, it's not as if Schalke lost points because of mistakes made by the keeper. IV: Maya Yoshida - even if he hasn't reached the desired standing by a long way, the Japanese will play just because of the current loss of central defenders. IV: Timothée Kolodziejczak - hardly committed, already the first starting XI? That seems entirely possible and realistic. After all, interim coach Kreutzer lacks the alternatives.LV: Thomas Ouwejan - still an important regular player, although Ouwejan is still far from his top form of the last season. Tobias Mohr could replace him, but that seems unlikely. RV: Cedric Brunner - the right-back is fit again and will also be placed under Kreutzer. Neither Henning Matriciani nor Mehmet Aydin can currently overtake him.ZDM: Alex Kral - even though he was clearly behind in the last Hoffenheim duel, he still threw himself into the duels and tried to create scenes on the offensive. He will probably be allowed to start again.ZDM: Tom Krauß - after his short breather, the young leader will return to the top eleven. Normally there is no way around it.LM: Marius Bülter - away from the double storm and back to the left side. That should be Bülter's expected path on Sunday. Mohr would be another option here, too.ZOM: Florent Mollet - because the other teammates have not received enough input despite his playmaker role, the Frenchman deserves more chances. Should Dominick Drexler not play on the right, he could also take over the position.RM: Dominick Drexler - even if he is usually more influential in the center, he should start again on the right. He already did that on Tuesday evening. ST: Simon Terodde – Jordan Larsson would also be an option for a new, more flexible path. But Terodde is and remains the number one striker. Neither Kenan Karaman nor Sebastian Polter should have a chance to start.

It is difficult to predict which basic order Kreutzer will choose against Hertha. A fairly balanced approach in 4-2-3-1 is conceivable. However, he could also rely on a mixed double leadership, for example from Terodde and Larsson. But that seems too daring and therefore unlikely that he will try this variant in such an important game.

This article was originally published on 90min.com/de as Schalke 04: The expected line-up against Hertha BSC.