week 27 - match preview

"KSC just lack a bit of luck", warns Büskens

Going into the home clash with bottom side Karlsruhe this Saturday (1530 CET) it seems clear who the favourites are. But Mike Büskens is wary of the visitors, something he has been communicating to his players during the week.

Last week Schalke were able to reduce the gap to the European places. But that doesn't mean Saturday's game will be a formality: "I don't think Karlsruhe are as poor as their position in the table would suggest", he said. Not even the fact that Ede Becker's men haven't scored since 7 February and have taken just two points from their last seven games is enough to make him change his opinion.

"As always we have had a close look at our opponents. And it's quite clear that Karlsruhe have been very, very unlucky just recently", the 41-year-old explained. As an example of this Büskens cited the game against Borussia Mönchengladbach last week when striker Sebastian Freis saw his shot crash back off the crossbar.

"They just lack a bit of luck at the moment", he said. "It isn't down to a lack of quality in the team because they've never been thrashed, all their defeats have been close. And with a bit more luck they could have got a point at Bayern a few weeks ago." Büskens is therefore in no doubt: "It would be fatal to underestimate them. As far as we're concerned Karlsruhe are still in with a chance and they can't be written off."

Büskens doesn't believe his side are about to make that mistake, however. "Anyone who's seen the lads train this week will know much passion there is in the team." And he pointed to the team spirit within the squad. "On Wednesday we had given them the day off but almost every player came in on their own initiative to work on their fitness. That shows how much they're up for it."