week 8 - match preview
Magath warns against complacency
The Royal Blues kick off proceedings in Bundesliga week 8 when they entertain Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening (2030 CET). And Felix Magath hopes to be able to give a positive summary after the final whistle.
"We have a few things to make up for at the VELTINS Arena, and I expect that of my team", the Schalke head coach said, referring to the defeats in the last two home games against Freiburg (0-1) and Wolfsburg (1-2).
"We have to offer more than we have been doing recently", the 56-year-old continued. "The majority of the fans may have been satisfied last time out, but I wasn't at all." The Schalke coach is therefore targeting a third competitive win in a row after the two local derby successes. "It'll be anything but a formality, however. And I'm a bit worried we could mess things up", said Magath, providing an immediate explanation. "In training I had the feeling that the players were satisfied with themselves after the win in Dortmund. A bit too satisfied for my liking."
Complacency is therefore not an option. "I hope my players will adjust quickly and perform well from the off", he said. "Eintracht have played some surprisingly good football so far. They are stronger than last year and very dangerous opponents. And they've reserved their best performances for away from home", said Magath in praise of the visitors. "They've improved all round, but especially in attack. So it's up to us to seize the initiative, dictate the play and give Eintracht a fight."
One Frankfurt player who could defy his side's attacking efforts is former Schalke midfielder Zlatan Bajramovic. The Bosnian, who wore the royal-blue shirt from 2005 to 2008, has been a first-team regular under coach Michael Skibbe since shaking off a stubborn toe injury.
There will be no reunion with Ralf Fährmann, however. The former Schalke goalkeeper has asked to be allowed to play for Frankfurt's second string in the fourth-tier Regional League (South) at FC Nürnberg II on Saturday in order to gain match practice as he recovers from a broken hand, a Frankfurt spokesperson said.
