Match preview - Week 1

Excitement mounts ahead of Bundesliga opener at Stuttgart

The sense of anticipation at Schalke ahead of the new season is huge, with players, officials and fans all counting down the hours until the Bundesliga finally kicks off again. And the wait will be over when the Royal Blues take the field at Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon (1530 CET).

"We're glad the new season is about to start," said head coach Ralf Rangnick at today's media conference, reinforcing the feeling that the Royal Blues are itching to return to competitive action after six weeks of pre-season.

Schalke have already contested a number of friendlies and played in the Super Cup final and the first round of the DFB Cup, but as Rangnick made clear, "the players only really start to feel the adrenalin when the league campaign begins. We've put the necessary physical and tactical foundations in place over recent weeks, but you only really know where you stand once the league has started."

"A flying start to the season is important, of course, but it's mainly down to me to give the players inspiration and confidence for the first few games," added Rangnick, who is fully aware of the size of the task facing the Royal Blues at Stuttgart. "It won't be easy to win there. But if we play to our potential, we can pick up three points."

The Schalke coach outlined his tactical approach to Saturday's game, saying: "We need to take the initiative instead of focusing too much on the opposition. We have to make sure we're organised and press the ball."

Schalke made a poor start to last season, losing four games on the trot, but that is of no concern to Rangnick, who was coach at Hoffenheim at the time. On the contrary: "I started with three wins last term," he said. A good omen, perhaps, for the new season.