week 4 - match preview

Tempo the key to exposing Hertha weaknesses, says Müller

The challenges facing the Royal Blues at present remind Mirko Slomka of show jumping, the head coach told journalists today. With DFB Cup, UEFA Cup and Bundesliga matches in quick succession, Schalke were in the middle of a triple combination. Now the task was to clear the final hurdle (Hertha BSC Berlin) without any faults on Sunday.

Looking back to the matches at Hansa Rostock II and at home to AS Nancy, the 39-year-old said: "The team negotiated the first hurdle with ease. They had a few problems with the second, but eventually cleared it. On Sunday we have to judge the distance to the third hurdle correctly and back the right horse." Another away win would see the Royal Blues consolidate their position at the top end of the Bundesliga table.

General manager Andreas Müller said it was difficult to assess Hertha's form at the moment. While they had looked very impressive in beating Hannover 96 4-0 at the Olympic Stadium in the Bundesliga last week, Falko Götz's team had suffered a setback in the 2-2 draw with Odense BK in the UEFA Cup on Thursday. "That was a minor blemish", he said. "Nevertheless you get the feeling that there's new spirit in Berlin now Marcelinho has left."

According to Müller the Berliners have pulled together recently. "We saw how important that can be ourselves against Nancy. That's why we directed more attention to improving team spirit during pre-season." As well as the sense of togetherness in the Hertha team Slomka has also been impressed by their attack: "In Marko Pantelic and Christian Gimenez Hertha have two good penalty box strikers."

Nevertheless Schalke have identified some weaknesses in the opposition ranks. "Against Odense they had some problems at the back. They're not as solid as they were last season", said Slomka. "We have to expose Hertha's weaknesses with some fast, one-touch football. We certainly have to ability to do so", added Müller.

Two players are definitely out of Sunday's game and another two are in doubt. Christian Pander is still injured and Mladen Krstajic is suspended after being sent off in Aachen. In addition, Levan Kobiashvili and Rafinha are both struggling with knocks. The Georgian has a ligament problem in his left knee and was restricted to a session on the treadmill on Friday, while his Brazilian team mate is labouring under an Achilles tendon injury. "I'll hope we'll get them both fit in time for Sunday", said Slomka.