week 4 - match preview
Lincoln return for Leverkusen trip
For head coach Ralf Rangnick Saturday's trip to Bayer Leverkusen serves as a pointer to his side's current form. "After the international break no team knows where it stands“, he explained.
The Royal Blues are currently at the top end of the table, a position they fully intend to be in after the match at the BayArena . "We'll go out to win in Leverkusen. Our aim was, after all, to stay in contention at the top of the Bundesliga right from the outset.“
Leverkusen have lost two games in a row and so will be looking to turn things around. Rangnick expects the Bayer club will do some frank talking before the match. "They will step up the pressure and try to inspire and motivate the team.“ The Schalke boss therefore believes it is vital his players operate as a well organised unit. "If we keep a great shape, hold our own and then maybe go in front, the pressure that has built up at Bayer can turn into uncertainty. We need to get into our game very quickly, coordinate our attacks well and take our chances.“
Coach Klaus Augenthaler has personnel problems to worry about besides the two defeats. Babic and Roque Junior (both suspended) are sidelined, as are Krzynowek, Freier and Madouni, who are either injured or ill. Yet Rangnick warned his players not to underestimate Leverkusen. "It's dangerous to conclude that Bayer are on the ropes because they have one of the best attacks in the league. Berbatov and Voronin are top strikers.“
Schalke's personnel worries have eased further. Playmaker Lincoln returns from suspension, leaving Rangnick with a full squad to choose from with the exception of long-term casualties Mimoun Azaouagh, Christian Pander and Marco van Hoogdalem and the injured Tim Hoogland. "If we can play like we did in pre-season when Lincoln was in the side, we're capable of beating anyone“, said Rangnick.
Those players who were on international duty returned largely unscathed, though Christian Poulsen picked up a slight injury playing for Denmark against Georgia. "I sustained a knock on the Achilles tendon during the first half and went off after an hour once the game had been settled. But I expect to be fit again for Leverkusen“, the Dane explained.
Compatriot Sören Larsen hit the headlines after scoring twice for Denmark. "Every time he scores he comes more into contention. Sören is on a run at the moment“, said Rangnick, who use Larsen more often and for longer periods in the next few games. New signing Rafinha is also a candidate for the BayArena. "Theoretically he could play from the start. He's trained in every session for the last two weeks and got to know his team mates, it's now just a question of the coach picking him.“
