week 9 - match preview

Slomka: Being second, we go to Stuttgart full of confidence

Two wins and two defeats: The Royal Blues’ league record away from home thisseason could certainly be better.  And on Sunday, Mirko Slomka’s team visit VfB Stuttgart, who are unbeaten in their last seven games.

Despite Stuttgart’s upwards trend, Schalke’s head coach is confident. “If we put our tactical plan into practice, then I’m sure we’ll come away with at least a point”, he predicts.  Schalke’s current position in the Bundesliga table is one of the reasons for the 39-year old coach’s optimism.  “We’re currently second.  If that doesn’t let you go to away games full of confidence, then what does?”, he asks.  General manager Andreas Müller sees things much the same.  While he admits the side’s recent performances have not been scintillating, he points out that the points tally is not bad at all.  “We’ve taken 16 points from 8 Bundesliga games”, he notes.  “You can therefore say already that, in terms of results, we’re showing consistency”. With an average like this – two points per game – you would definitely qualify for the Champions League come the end of the season.

Of course, Müller, who was born in Stuttgart, has not failed to notice that, after a poor start to the season, VfB are now playing attractive football. “Despite their problems at the start of the season, they have stuck to their strategy and brought in lots of young players.  Now they’re reaping the rewards”, notes Müller.  “It’s really fun to watch them play at the moment. However, it’s time now for us to change that!”

Mirko Slomka will not yet reveal what formation he plans to use to bring a halt to Stuttgart’s march up the table.  Fans will have to wait until after training on Saturday, he says.  He had, he adds, nevertheless already spotted where the weaknesses were in Armin Veh’s side.  “You only have to look at their results in the Bundesliga.”  So far this season Stuttgart have conceded 14 goals already.  Only bottom club Hanover 96 (with 18) and VfL Bochum (16) have let in more.

Slomka believes that the key to success in the game on Sunday will be the quality of the finishing in front of goal.  “A lot will depend on who makes better use of their chances”, he predicts.  The coach is also demanding a performance from his players similar to the 2-1 win a week ago in Hamburg. “HSV have a good team too”, he says.  “On the day, however, we exploited their problems.  In Stuttgart, we need to play with passion again and turn the game our way early on.”