week 10 - match preview
Lots of food and sleep the key to victory in Wolfsburg
The Champions League classic against Fenerbahce is not long over, but the Schalke players are already concentrating totally on the game at VfL Wolfsburg.
After an exciting and dramatic match on the Bosporus that was packed with emotion, the next port of call is a fairly quiet part of Lower Saxony. "Nothing against VfL, but Wolfsburg is hardly the cauldron of German football", said Schalke keeper Frank Rost.
Nevertheless, head coach Ralf Rangnick does not envisage his players having any problems adjusting back to the Bundesliga routine after their exploits in Europe's premier club competition.
"There are no problems as far as concentration is concerned. What's more important is that the players get some rest after all the exertions and the flying. They need plenty of food and sleep, that's the key now."
This is because the Royal Blues cannot afford to lose the game. "We're going to Wolfsburg to win because we need the points to keep in touch at the top. We have to carry on where we left off against Fenerbahce and that's what I expect of the players."
Rangnick was delighted that Lincoln showed all his old class again in scoring twice in the Champions League. "It was about time he turned it on again. The way he played in the second half in Istanbul is the way we want to see him in future."
But the Schalke coach will almost certainly have to make do without Ebbe Sand in Wolfsburg. "I'm assuming his nose is broken", said team doctor Thorsten Rarreck. "We'll know for sure when we x-ray it on Thursday evening. If it is broken, Ebbe will have to undergo surgery", added Rarreck. This would then rule out any chance of the Schalke skipper playing in Wolfsburg.
Otherwise the Schalke squad returned from the trip to the Turkish metropolis without any major knocks, and nineteen players continued on the journey from Istanbul to Wolfsburg.
Saturday's game sees the Royal Blues meet up with Mike Hanke again for the first time since his move to Wolfsburg. The young striker will be keen to do well against his former team-mates, but that does not concern Rangnick in the least. "Mike may well be up for it, but that's of no consequence for us. If we repeat Wednesday's showing, we have every chance of winning in Wolfsburg."
