week 13 - match preview

Magath demands same commitment against Hannover

"After the events surrounding the death of Robert Enke we need to return to normality", said head coach Felix Magath ahead of the Bundesliga clash with Hannover 96 at the VELTINS Arena on Saturday (1530 CET).

His Hannover counterpart takes a similar view. "We are continuing to work with the same intensity as before. The game, and the importance of it, has to help us get back to a certain degree of normality", said Andreas Bergmann.

Magath expects Hannover to show plenty of commitment after taking seven points from their last three games. "After a difficult start to the season and the managerical change from Dieter Hecking to Andreas Bergmann they have gained stability and picked up some good points, especially in the last few weeks", said Magath. "I think they'll try to build from a strong defence and catch us on the break."

The Schalke boss hopes his own team will play the bold style of football they produced in the three draws with Hamburg, Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. "We have to show the same levels of commitment again", demanded Magath, who looks set to be without Gerald Asamoah. The Schalke striker has flu and is confined to bed with a temperature. "He isn't likely to be in the squad", he explained.

Magath was able to give the all clear as far as Jefferson Farfan is concerned, however. He said: "Jefferson is feeling a lot better. He's over his bronchitis and will resume training on Friday at the latest, which means he's available for selection at the weekend." The same applies to Rafinha and Benedikt Höwedes, who returned to training on Wednesday after recovering from their respective knocks.