week 31 - match preview
Krstajic likely to miss `last chance´ in Bremen
The position is clear: "If we want to make third place, we have to win", said head coach Mirko Slomka ahead of the trip to Werder Bremen. But Mladen Krstajic is a doubt for a game that represents Schalke's 'last chance' of reaching a Champions League qualifying berth.
Krstajic sustained an injury to his left ankle during Thursday's UEFA Cup clash with FC Sevilla. A scan on Friday afternoon revealed both capsule and medial collateral ligament damage. So while Slomka is sceptical as to whether the Serb will be fit to play at his former stomping ground, he is more confident when it comes to Gustavo Varela, who bruised a hip against the Spaniards: "I hope he'll grit his teeth and play."
The Schalke boss is expecting an exciting, tactical game at the Weser Stadium. "Recent matches there have been very tight. A lot will depend on who is first to strike", he explained.
When confronted with the fact that the Royal Blues have not won in Bremen since August 1999, Slomka countered by saying: "Then it's time we got our next win. This is our last opportunity to attack at the top so we have to take it by the scruff of the neck."
The 38-year-old coach will fall back on Lincoln and Kevin Kuranyi again, both second- half substitutes against Sevilla. The Brazilian playmaker, in particular, showed the right response, said Slomka. "He was very conspicuous. You could see and sense that he wanted to help the team." A trend he had already ascertained in a private conversation after the final training session.
Slomka was also happy with Kuranyi's performance. "He battled hard and did a tremendous amount of running on the left. He was always involved, especially when we were a man down. I think Kevin will start against Bremen, too."
Gerald Asamoah is definitely ruled out, though. The Germany international picked up his fifth yellow card in Cologne and is suspended. Long-term absentees Christian Pander and Manuel Neuer are also sidelined.
