week 28 - match preview

Schalke out to breach Gladbach defence

Schalke's team for Saturday's visit of Borussia Mönchengladbach is slowly beginning to take shape. Gerald Asamoah will feature in the starting line-up for the first time since breaking his leg at the end of September. And Mirko Slomka has also indicated Hamit Altintop and Mesut Özil will be involved, though he declined to say whether both would start. It is unclear whether Halil Altintop (groin) will be fit enough to play, however.

"He's been struggling with the injury for several weeks. Halil's in a lot of pain and just recently he's only been able to play with painkillers", said Slomka, who will delay a decision on the 24-year-old until Friday. Fabian Ernst and Lincoln are both suspended and Slomka will also be without Gustavo Varela. The Uruguay midfielder has been ordered to continue a special muscle rehabilitation programme to ensure he can resume full training next week.

Peter Lovenkrands underwent ligament reconstruction surgery on his right ankle on Wednesday and is out for the rest of the season. "At least it means he should be back with us in time for next season's preparations", said Slomka. The operation was absolutely essential, he added. "Otherwise the bone might have been affected if he got injured again."

The rest of the squad are raring to go against Gladbach, desperate to display the attributes Slomka felt were missing against Bayern Munich last weekend: "We failed to exploit any of our qualities and didn't develop any pace. We have told the players this in no uncertain terms", a message he is sure has been understood.

Slomka therefore expects his side to show a positive response on Saturday, saying: "They'll go into the game with a different attitude." Most important of all, though, was to secure all three points at home against the bottom side.

The 39-year-old said he was not concerned that his players might be nervous. "The lads know which direction they're going in. The poor performance in Munich had nothing to do with jangling nerves." Last week's game had been decided by a strong Bayern side and the early goal that was conceded. "But nevertheless you should still have something decisive up your sleeve whatever the situation", he said.

For Slomka there are no easy opponents in the Bundesliga, so he will not be underestimating Borussia Mönchengladbach, even if they are at the foot of the table. "They're down at the bottom, but they have a string of fresh young players. They'll keep fighting for as long as they have a chance." The Schalke boss therefore expects it to be an open game. "Gladbach want the three points as well, otherwise things will get tight in their battle against relegation. I don't think Jos Luhukay will get his team to sit back."

The key to victory was breaching the Gladbach defence, concluded Slomka. "Their defence has been very strong just recently and we have to break them down. They may have lost their recent away matches, but they've all been 1-0", he said, warning against complacency.