week 20 - match preview

Analysis of cup defeat key to beating Wolfsburg

Schalke go into Friday's home clash with VfL Wolfsburg (kick-off: 2030 CET) looking to build on the momentum from last week's derby win in Dortmund. But at today's pre-match media conference head coach Mirko Slomka said the Lower Saxony outfit were "an unpredictable side".

Schalke's head-to-head record against the 1995 cup finalists makes curious reading. The two clubs have met 21 times in the Bundesliga so far, and eleven of these games – i.e. more than half – have ended in a draw. Why have there been so many draws? "It's a difficult question to answer", admits Slomka, especially as the cup-tie two weeks ago also finished 1-1 at the end of normal and extra time. "Again we had the opportunity to win the game. We improved on that in the next two Bundesliga matches in that we succeeded in taking the chances on offer."

Felix Magath's side are difficult to predict, as the cup-tie proved once again. "We had Wolfsburg watched very closely, even during the winter break. But the formation they adopted in the DFB Cup was one they had never used before", Slomka recalled. "So in preparing for Friday evening's game it's vitally important that we analyse the cup-tie and draw the right conclusions."

The cup defeat is not the only reason why the Royal Blues won't be underestimating the visitors. "Wolfsburg have won three league games in a row and are shaping to make a challenge for a place in Europe", said Slomka, referring to their current run of form. "But that does nothing to alter our approach. We have the chance to go second, at least temporarily, with a win. That has to be motivation enough."

The Royal Blues will be without Carlos Grossmüller (still suspended after his red card in Frankfurt) and Jermaine Jones (collected his fifth yellow at Borussia Dortmund). Zlatan Bajramovic (toe) and Markus Heppke have also been unable to train this week.