week 13 - match preview

Schalke aim to return to contention against Hamburg

Five days after the tremendous display against Chelsea the Royal Blues face their next big test this Saturday. The VELTINS Arena plays host to the side currently sitting in second place in the table, SV Hamburg, who travel to Gelsenkirchen full of confidence.

"Our aim has to be to repeat the performance we showed in the Champions League", said Mirko Slomka, setting out his approach the visit of the UEFA Cup hopefuls. "Our commitment and tactical discipline in particular were very pleasing."

The 40-year-old has identified a tangible improvement in the mood in training. "The body language is a lot different compared with recent weeks. The players believe in themselves again and their motivation has changed as well." Nevertheless we can't afford to rest on our laurels following Tuesday's performance.

As Slomka points out, the Champions League and Bundesliga are two different competitions: "Draws have been no use to us in the league." The focus is therefore completely on Hamburg, who are eight points in front of the Royal Blues in the Bundesliga table.

Yet Slomka is convinced his side can reduce the gap this weekend. "I'm an optimistic person and so I expect us to get the win that will put us back in contention at the top", he said.

The Schalke coach has focused mainly on finishing in training: "Obviously we have to convert more chances into goals. At the moment we're just lacking that little bit of luck in front of goal. But I'm convinced we'll put it right soon." Whether the decisive change comes from the mind to the feet or the other way round was secondary, he continued: "As long as the ball goes in I don't care."

Slomka saw the north German outfit win 1-0 in Duisburg in Week 11 and gleaned some valuable insights from his trip. "Hamburg are clinical away from home. Three of the four away matches they've won this season have ended 1-0. They are very well organised at the back and quick to switch from defence to attack. So we have to stop them making dangerous counterthrusts."

Rafael van der Vaart is the linchpin of the Hamburg team and will require particularly close attention, but Slomka is confident his side can deal with the threat, saying: "Every time we've been called upon to stifle a particular player we've done a great job." This worked very well on Tuesday, when Chelsea's inspirational midfielder Frank Lampard remained largely ineffective.