Week 28 - Match preview
Royal Blues optimistic ahead of title-chasing clash
Schalke travel to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (kick-off: 1830 CET) just three days after the 1-0 loss against Bayern Munich. Head coach Felix Magath does not believe his young side will be negatively affected by the DFB Cup reverse. "When the players go over the defeat they can draw strength from it, and we're going to need plenty of that on Saturday," he said.
The prospect of having to give 100% against the side currently occupying third place in the table after coming through 120 minutes during the week is of no concern to Magath either. "Playing three games in a week is no problem for us whatsoever," he said. "I expect us to put in a good performance. We demonstrated our ability away from home in Hamburg last week. That's what we've been working on and that's what we have faith in."
Before the season started no one could have foreseen that the works club would set a new record by negotiating the first 24 games without losing. The positive trend comes as no surprise, however. "Leverkusen already had a very young side the previous season. As a team they're now a year older and they've developed very well," explained Magath. "I hope we'll experience something similar next season because that is precisely what both sides have in common." Yet the Schalke boss feels the home side now have an edge over the Royal Blues. "They're much more stable than we are and they're a better footballing team with very different confidence levels and standing," he explained.
Jupp Heynckes's side have won just one of their last five games, however. "In their last few matches they've not looked quite as good as they did before. I'm just hoping they won't find their rhythm again against us," the 56-year-old continued. "Because when they're on a run they have the best attack in the league, one which is capable of putting even our fabulous defence in trouble." Leverkusen will be without the league's leading scorer in Stefan Kiessling but Magath does not consider it much of an advantage. "In Patrick Helmes they have a player in reserve who topped the scoring charts last year. For me the one-match suspension for Arturo Vidal is much more significant. He's having a very good season in midfield. Him not being there is not exactly a disadvantage for us."
In contrast, the squad news from Schalke is all good. Marcelo Bordon, who was involved in a collision with Heiko Westermann on Wednesday, is feeling better now. Magath said: "He had a bit of a headache but he's sure he'll be available for Saturday." Kevin Kuranyi is also confident of playing after struggling with muscular trouble against Bayern.
Magath said the title race could take a decisive turn only in one event. "If Bayer lose their home game and Bayern Munich beat VfB Stuttgart the gap for Leverkusen will be six points, which is a lot at this stage. If we lose it'll be different because we're in closer order. Nothing will have been decided in that case." Especially as Bayern are the next side to visit the VELTINS ARENA.
