week 9 - match preview
Rangnick sets sights on Bayern
Bayern Munich are coming to the VELTINS Arena – and for Schalke all five competitive matches against them to date at the Arena have ended in victory. "My only wish", said manager Rudi Assauer therefore, "is for this run to continue." If it doesn't, it won't be down to head coach Ralf Rangnick and the players.
The Schalke coach doesn't expect this head-to-head to have any undue bearing on the outcome of the title race. "After we beat them in March last season we were three points clear at the top of the table – by the end of the season we were 15 points behind them. So you have to take such conclusions with a pinch of salt."
But Rangnick did say: "Last year we got very close to Bayern. We're aiming to do it again this year." A win on Saturday would reduce the gap between the Royal Blues and the league leaders from five points to two.
So it was opportune that playmaker Lincoln reported back for training on Tuesday after being out for a week. In the last meeting between the two teams at the Arena the 26-year old scored the winner from a free-kick. "But we shouldn't put the full burden of expectation on Lincoln's shoulders", warned team manager Andreas Müller. "Rafinha and Levin Kobiashvili will also be key players for us. They can provide the crosses from wide positions that are so important for our tall strikers."
The game has been sold out for months and Rangnick is making no predictions about how it might pan out. "It depends not least on the timing of any goals. Against Milan I would never have believed that I would feel like heading straight back to the dressing room after just 20 seconds but everything would be OK again less than three minutes later. Or that we would go 2-1 behind during our best spell of the game and after getting the equaliser would still have two great chances to win it." The position on Saturday, however, seems clear: "Neither side is going to attack 'hell for leather'. It'll be a tight game."
Owing to the international fixture list there has been very little time to prepare for this table-topping clash. Many of the players did not return until Thursday following the World Cup qualifiers, and the two Uruguayans, Darío Rodriguez and Gustavo Varela, are not expected back until Friday afternoon. Rangnick is sure they will be up for the game, however. "Most of the lads will be coming back with their confidence boosted", he said. "And even though the two Danes failed to qualify, they won both of their matches."
The specific preparations for the 90 minutes on Saturday will resemble something of a crash course. "First of all," said Rangnick, "it's about using recovery time and regenerative work to make sure the players recover from the stresses and strains of travelling as quickly as possible." The tactical discussion won't take place until the day of the match itself.
Schalke will be without Gerald Asamoah (torn knee ligaments), Simon Cziommer (torn ankle ligaments), Marco van Hoogdalem (injured hip), Tim Hoogland (knee ligament strain) and Christian Pander (torn cruciate ligament).
