Battle for the Title
April 6, 2007
Schalke are two points clear of Werder Bremen with seven games remaining and coach Mirko Slomka admits his side need to start delivering better performances if the club is to win a first national title since 1958. "If we are to win the title, we have to improve," said Slomka.
Slomka's side will be hoping European competition may have diverted the attention of two of their major challengers for the title. Fourth-placed Bayern Munich, whose 2-2 draw at AC Milan on Tuesday has left them with one foot in the Champions League semi-finals, visit Hanover on Saturday while Werder Bremen, who drew 0-0 against AZ Alkmaar in UEFA Cup quarter-final, first leg action on Thursday, host Nuremberg on Sunday.
Schalke have some personnel problems ahead of Saturday's clash with Gladbach and Slomka must try and fill the void left by the suspension of Fabian Ernst for his fifth yellow card but, on a more positive note, Serb defender Mladen Krstajic is back following a broken rib.
Krstajic has had to wear a special protective suit to help his rib recover but has finally been able to train without it. "I'm not scared," the 32-year-old said on his ditching the protection. "It's just a different feeling, that's all. I'm still being a bit careful in the tackle, but things will be very different on Saturday. At least I can breathe properly again."
Slomka must also decide whether to field Halil Altintop. "Halil has been struggling with a groin injury for weeks," Slomka told the club's website. "Every time he sets off on a sprint he's in pain. It's a very tough and unpleasant situation for him.
"What's important is if he can say to us on Friday that the pain has gone. That wasn't the case on Tuesday or on Wednesday," said Slomka.
Schalke have 53 points from 27 matches to lead by two points from Werder Bremen, and by four and six points from VfB Stuttgart, who travel to Hamburg SV on Saturday, and Munich respectively.
Bayern loss still rankles with Schalke
Schalke's 2-0 defeat at Bayern on Saturday was a major blow to Slomka's men and it still rankles. "The main thing (against Gladbach) is not to concede a goal after three minutes," said Krstajic, referring to Roy Makaay's goal for Bayern.
Slomka said of the Gladbach match: "Things always look cut and dried on paper. We're top and everyone else is behind us. So of course we're favorites when we play the bottom side at home."
Gladbach are five points adrift of safety but coach Jos Luhukay is not overawed by what he describes as a 'David versus Goliath' duel. "We'll get a lot of space in Schalke and could earn a point there," he said.
Schalke and Gladbach have won just once in the last seven games each. But the good news for Schalke is that they have not lost at home against their opponents in 11 games, winning seven and drawing four.
Bremen need to take chances, says Klose
Second-placed Bremen failed to take full advantage of Schalke's slip-up against Bayern last week -- playing out a drab scoreless draw at lowly Energie Cottbus -- and desperately need a win Sunday at home to sixth-placed Nuremberg.
"We're not going to get many more chances," said German international Miroslav Klose.
Nuremberg will be no easy touch as the southern Germans are just one point off the UEFA Cup spot, currently occupied by fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who welcome relegation-threatened VfL Bochum.
Third-placed VfB Stuttgart visit improving SV Hamburg, looking to cement their Champions League place.
Stuttgart, Bayern looking to increase pressure
Stuttgart are four points behind Schalke, but just two clear of defending champions Bayern. Coach Armin Veh said the club would rate a third-place finish and a place in Europe's top club tournament next season a success.
Bayern will be without Willy Sagnol, who is out for the season with a meniscus injury picked up in Italy, against Hanover. Lucio, Hasan Salihamidzic and Owen Hargreaves are also injury concerns.
In other matches Saturday, Eintracht Frankfurt welcome Energie Cottbus, struggling Borussia Dortmund visit Alemannia Aachen, sliding Hertha Berlin take on Arminia Bielefeld and VfL Wolfsburg entertain Mainz 05.