week 30 - match preview

Schalke targeting right balance against Hamburg

The Royal Blues travel to SV Hamburg on Saturday for what is a crucial clash in the battle for the Champions League places. Hamburg sit three points behind Schalke in fourth spot in the Bundesliga, with both sides on the same goal difference.

"Our aim is to maintain our points lead over Hamburg and if possible extend it", explained Mike Büskens ahead of the trip to the HSH-Nordbank Arena. Schalke's caretaker boss knows his side can take a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League once again this weekend, yet after the 5-0 drubbing of Energie Cottbus last Tuesday he will be keen to avoid any complacency.

"Hamburg are a different calibre", he emphasised. "Nevertheless the win over Cottbus has set a very good foundation for the rest of the season. What we can't afford to do, however, is go all out attack from the start. We don't want to give them any space, but we won't be hiding either."

Coached by former Schalke boss Huub Stevens, Hamburg have stuttered a bit recently, having gone five games without a win in the Bundesliga. "Hamburg are under more pressure than we are", said Büskens. "If they lose to us, they'll be six points behind. And with just four games left closing the gap will take some doing."

Büskens is very satisfied with the way the players have prepared this week. "Everyone's pulled their weight and the mood in training has been good. The players are riding the euphoria from the Cottbus game."

With two days to go until kick-off Büskens was reluctant to commit himself as far as his starting line-up is concerned. "So much can happen before Saturday", he explained. The Royal Blues will definitely be without Zlatan Bajramovic (toe), Gustavo Varela (thyroid dysfunction) and Ze Roberto (muscle strain), though Ivan Rakitic (ankle) and Levan Kobiashvili (groin) are fit again and available for selection. Some doubt remains over Christian Pander (groin), however.