week 24 - match preview
Win against Duisburg a must, says Slomka
When the Royal Blues host MSV Duisburg on Friday (kick-off 2030 CET), there can be only one aim. "It's a game we have to win - no ifs and buts about it", said Mirko Slomka at today's media conference, looking at the current league standings and his side's forthcoming fixtures.
"Following Stuttgart's win in the rearranged fixture at Energie Cottbus it's got really tight in the top third of the table", the Schalke boss continued before adding: "As our target for the season is to qualify for the Champions League again and we have some tricky away matches coming up in Bremen and Hamburg, we can't afford to drop many points. So it's vital we win our games at the VELTINS Arena."
Slomka was pleased with much of his team's performance in Bielefeld last Saturday. Yet he is keen to see his players develop even more attacking momentum. "It was better against Bielefeld than it was against Porto, but we are capable of more", he explained. "After three league defeats in a row we made a start in Bielefeld. We now have to string a few wins together", Slomka continued.
The Schalke boss has yet to decide what his team will be for the visit of Duisburg, who were defeated 3-0 in their only previous appearance at the VELTINS Arena on 5 November 2005. With just three players missing through injury - Zlatan Bajramovic (foot), Markus Heppke (shoulder) and Ze Roberto (muscle strain) - Slomka was reluctant to reveal his hand, saying merely: "There are lots of possibilities".
Indeed, the return from suspension of Fabian Ernst and Rafinha and Christian Pander's successful comeback in Bielefeld following a long injury lay-off means he has several options in a number of positions. " It's an ideal situation for a coach as it's good to know you have more than just four good players for a functioning back four, for example."
In making his final team selection Slomka will also consider whether any of his players is in need of a break after the recent energy-sapping schedule. One thing is certain, however: "Marcelo Bordon is definitely in my plans. He will play against Duisburg." The Brazilian had experienced some minor muscle problems recently.
Up front the position is a similar one. Slomka is leaning towards going with Kevin Kuranyi and Halil Altintop again. These two players provided the goals in Schalke's 2-0 win in the reverse fixture and also combined very well in Bielefeld. "I have yet to make my mind up, though", said Slomka. "No one is guaranteed a place."
The Schalke boss was also pleased to note that Gerald Asamoah is fit again, having shaken off a minor back complaint. "Like the rest of the forward players he's champing at the bit, which is good", he explained, pointing to Albert Streit as another example. "Albert was given 45 minutes on Saturday to show what he can do. But he hasn't fully settled into the team yet." Streit, who joined the Royal Blues from Eintracht Frankfurt in the winter break, has yet to play to his full potential, but Slomka is sure his time will come eventually.
