week 13 - match preview
S04 aim to beat Cottbus at their own game
Three games, seven points: Schalke's haul from the last week was not bad at all. Now on Saturday, it's on to newly promoted Energie Cottbus, who are impressing everyone at present with their great tactical discipline.
"We need to counter that, it's the only way to be successful", says head coach Mirko Slomka. Cottbus have perfected their 4-5-1 system, he adds. Coach Petrik Sander's team win a lot of balls through their strong tackling, which then become the basis for their dangerous counter-attacking play, warns the Schalke coach. The team also has a very strong defence, he says. "They defend very tight and always together", he notes.
Slomka's observations are backed up by the figures. While the Royal Blues have only allowed their opponents eleven major chances so far this season, the lowest number in the top flight, it is Cottbus who come next, managing to hinder all but 16 such opportunities. The figures, however, can also be read to show a change in the trend. "They've allowed 8 of these 16 major chances in their last three home games", notes Slomka, adding that it's possible that Cottbus are now paying the price for their energetic start to the season. "If that's the case, then we've got to exploit it", he says.
Schalke's head coach has a clear idea of what is needed for his team to do well at the 'Stadium of Friendship'. "We've got to counter them, put them under pressure and break through their defensive stronghold. We need to beat them at their own game", he concludes.
However, Slomka is not deciding yet which starting formation he'll use to put this plan into action. He wants to wait and see how the Royal Blues' internationals are after their exertions in the week and, in any case, he says, he never slavishly follows the American notion of 'never changing a winning a team'. "We've changed a winning team in the past and still won", he notes.
Zlatan Bajramovic will certainly be back, having missed the match against FSV Mainz 05 through suspension. In addition to long-term absentee Gerald Asamoah (broken shin and fibula), two other players definitely missing will be Lincoln and Gustavo Varela, who are both labouring with torn muscles. The game in Cottbus also comes too early for Mathias Abel. It was agreed with the surgeon at the time of the defender's knee operation to wait six weeks until he returned to full training, and that period is not up until next week.
