week 27 - match preview
Slomka calls for patience against Rostock
The Royal Blues take on FC Hansa Rostock at the VELTINS Arena this Saturday. Many in the media are referring to the visit of the promoted side, who currently occupy 14th place in the Bundesliga table, as a "sandwich game" between the two Champions League clashes with Barcelona, but Mirko Slomka sees it very differently.
"We are focusing totally on Rostock at the moment", he told journalists at today's press conference. The Schalke boss is attaching great importance to the meeting with Frank Pagelsdorf's men, who have taken just five points away from home this season. "At the end of the season we want to be in a position that entitles us to play in the Champions League again next year. We have to win our home games, there's no doubt about that."
A win would also see the Royal Blues improve their head-to-head record against the Baltic Sea outfit at the VELTINS Arena. Since the most modern stadium in Europe opened its doors in the 2001/02 season they have taken three points just once. "Although statistics and history shouldn't play too much of a role, we have to work on improving this record."
The Schalke boss feels his team will have to be patient on Saturday and emphasised the need for his players to work hard to keep possession. "We can't afford to make the mistake of playing the ball forward too early", warned Slomka, who apart from the lack of a goal was pleased with his side's second-half performance against Barcelona. "We now have to take this momentum into the game against Rostock", he added.
Some doubt remains over the fitness of livewire wing-back Rafinha, however. The Brazil international is experiencing problems with the flexor muscles in his left hip. Definitely ruled out are long-term absentees Gustavo Varela (thyroid dysfunction), Zlatan Bajramovic (toe), Markus Heppke (shoulder), Ivan Rakitic (ankle) and Ze Roberto (muscle strain).
Jermaine Jones returns from the one-match ban that kept him of the Barcelona game, however, while Albert Streit has recovered from a thigh strain. "He resumed full training on Wednesday and is therefore available for selection again", explained Slomka.
