week 8 - match preview

Slomka out to cement position at top end of table with win over Hertha

A busy Bundesliga week for Schalke ends with the visit of Hertha BSC Berlin this Friday evening (kick-off 2030 CET). The Royal Blues will be looking to continue their recent run of form by making it three wins in a row. Meanwhile Gustavo Varela is on the verge of a return to the squad.

"We've beaten Bielefeld and Duisburg. And now we want to continue our winning run with a victory over Hertha", said Schalke head coach Mirko Slomka, with no lack of respect for a Berlin outfit with 12 points to their name so far. "I saw them in Duisburg two week ago when they won 2-1. In Marko Pantelic they have an extremely dangerous striker in their ranks and in Patrick Ebert and Lucio two very good wide men in midfield", he explained. He also took note of their strength in the tackle and counterattacking play.

Slomka is fully satisfied with his team's performances over the last two games. "The two wins were very good for our confidence. Now we want to cement our position at the top end of the table", he said, looking ahead to the next few matches.

The Schalke boss was unable to say what formation he would opt for on Friday, however, but he has been pleased with his side's adaptability recently. "Whenever we've made a change it hasn't had much of an impact on our play and our running. That typifies our team spirit."

The Royal Blues will definitely be without the injured Mathias Abel, Markus Heppke and Mladen Krstajic, while Dario Rodriguez is in Montevideo (Uruguay) attending to personal business. Gerald Asamoah, who missed the game in Duisburg due to a toe injury, has yet to train either. According to Slomka, a decision on whether he will feature in the squad against Hertha will not be made until Thursday at the earliest.

But there is good news as far as Gustavo Varela is concerned. The Uruguay midfielder, who suffered a serious knee injury in the same fixture in February, is on the verge of a return to the squad. It's fantastic how Gustavo has fought his way back after a long injury layoff. He has my greatest respect", said Slomka in praise of the 29-year-old's attitude and discipline.