week 30 - match preview

Leverkusen have outstanding players, says Büskens

"We're up against very dangerous opponents who have taken 23 points just from their away matches this season", warned coach Mike Büskens ahead of the Bundesliga clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the VELTINS Arena on Saturday.

"If you go just by the last four games, you could be forgiven for thinking we were favourites going into the game. But that would be too simple", said Büskens. "Leverkusen have some outstanding players in their ranks and for much of this season they played some sensational football. Anyone who saw them will have been licking their lips – unless they were on the receiving end that is."

After their recent performances the Royal Blues have no reason to feel inferior in footballing terms. "The fact is, however, that Leverkusen will be rueing the opportunity they missed in losing 1-0 to Karlsruhe. And now they'll be looking to make amends against us", Büskens explained. Nevertheless, Schalke still have the league's meanest defence, having conceded just 27 goals this season. "There's no reason why that should change", he added.

Büskens is not concerned that Schalke have won just one of the last six Bundesliga matches against Leverkusen. "And if the result is the same as the last time we beat them at home, we'll all go home happy", he said with a grin, recalling the 7-4 win in February 2006.

Definitely ruled out are Jermaine Jones (one-match ban), Marcelo Bordon (thigh) and Carlos Zambrano. Though the Peru international has recovered from a partial ligament rupture and capsule injury and is working with the ball again, "he hasn't progressed enough to resume full training yet", said Büskens.