week 3 - match preview

Slomka: "Have to learn from last season's mistakes"

After starting the season brightly with a draw at champions Stuttgart and a derby win over Borussia Dortmund, the Royal Blues are looking to consolidate their position at the top end of the table with a victory at VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday (kick-off: 1700 CET). Mirko Slomka has selection worries to contend with, however.

"Benedikt Höwedes had to pull out of training yesterday and Levan Kobiashvili sustained an injury playing for Georgia", the Schalke boss explained. The loss of Kobiashvili is particularly vexing following his strong showing against Borussia Dortmund and he is definitely a doubt for Sunday.

The prospects aren't quite so bad for Zlatan Bajramovic, though the Bosnian was forced to undergo an individual training programme on Thursday. "I'm hoping he can resume full training on Friday", said Slomka. Gustavo Varela and Soren Larsen will not feature in the squad for Sunday. "But both are on the road to recovery and doing well in training", explained Slomka.

The fact that the Royal Blues have two players for every position was encouraging in light of the current injury situation, the Schalke boss added. "Those who can stand in are desperate to play. Everyone is determined to do well."

As far as Wolfsburg are concerned, Slomka is hoping his players have learnt from the mistakes of last season. "We started very well there and even went 2-0 up", the 39-year-old recalled. But to Slomka's annoyance his side squandered their lead in the last minute. "We're in possession and give away an identical set piece to the one they scored their first goal from and then we concede the equaliser through Marcelinho", he said. This could not be allowed to happen again this season. The objective is clear: "This time we're determined to come back from Wolfsburg with three points."

Slomka watched the Wolves go down 3-1 at home to Bielefeld on the opening day. "In their second game it was a very different side that won 3-1 in Duisburg, and as Santana may not be able to play I'm expecting more changes", Slomka explained. So while it was important to prepare his players for Wolfsburg as far as this was possible, they also had to play their own game.

The Schalke boss is hoping his international players are raring to go again. "Some of them were involved in really tough games for their countries." No decision has been taken on whether new signing Carlos Grossmüller will make his first start. While he is strong enough to go the full 90 minutes, that was the case last week as well. "It was good to bring him on as a substitute. It gave him an opportunity to get used to the pace and toughness of the Bundesliga."