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Karel Geraerts: It’s down to us to be better than the opposition
FC Schalke will want to pick up three points at the VELTINS-Arena and extend their winning streak in the 2. Bundesliga to three games when they take on SV Elversberg on Friday (18:30 CET). Head coach Karel Geraerts knows that it’ll be a tough test, as the promoted side currently have one of the best away records in the league.
Elversberg have an impressive record away from home this season: three wins, two draws and only one loss. Horst Steffen’s side have picked up ten points from a possible 12 in their last four games on the road. “Everyone should know that we’re playing against a really good side,” emphasised head coach Karel Geraerts before the first-ever clash between the Royal Blues and Elversberg.
The coaching staff have analysed the upcoming opponents and have established their strengths and weaknesses. “They’re a solid side with a lot of confidence. They play quick, well-organised football,” said the 41-year-old. His team is aware that they’ll need to bring all their quality to the table if they want to get the three points in Gelsenkirchen.
Karaman fit for Elversberg game
Kenan Karaman, who had to come off early in the 2-1 victory over Nürnberg, is available for Schalke’s clash with Elversberg. It’s still too early for Paul Seguin and Tobias Mohr to play.
Geraerts said that the two recent wins in the league have clearly had a positive effect on the team. “Winning is always a good thing for the mood in the dressing room. I saw that the boys were enjoying themselves during training this week,” explained the Belgian. He went on to say that the team is very focused and has a lot of confidence. “The win in Nuremberg was, above all, good for morale,” said Geraerts.
More than 60,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at the VELTINS-Arena on Friday night and the majority of them will be cheering S04 on. It’s an experience that only a few of the Elversberg players, who normally play in front of 10,000 fans at home, will have had before. Will it prove advantageous for the Royal Blues? Not necessarily, according to Geraerts, who explained that Elversberg’s successive promotions prove that they deal with pressure well. “The Elversberg players will be looking forward to playing at the VELTINS-Arena. Games like this are why you play football. They’ll give it their all. It’s down to us to be better than the opposition.”
