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Miron Muslic: We have to make the most of those moments
On Friday evening (26/9), the Royal Blues will take on SpVgg Greuther Fürth at the VELTINS-Arena, with the visitors involved in plenty of high-scoring matches this season. In his press conference on Wednesday, Schalke 04 head coach Miron Muslic gave an insight into the challenge that the Franconian side will present.
It promises to be an exciting game, as the league’s best defensive side face the strongest attack so far this season. Schalke, alongside SC Paderborn, have only conceded four times this term, while Fürth have found the back of the net 13 times. “It’s going to be a tough challenge, but we will try and play our own game and deliver a good performance that will be rewarded with the three points,” explained Miron Muslic.
The coach feels that his side are progressing well on the path they began in the summer. The shaky defence of the past two seasons has evolved into a strong, solid unit since the beginning of pre-season. “The guys realise that this is our foundation. If we’re difficult to break down at the back, it gives us more confidence to cause problems up the other end of the pitch.” Muslic highlighted last Saturday’s 2-0 win away at 1. FC Magdeburg as another step forward: “We were already able to adapt things from the defeat against Kiel and put our conclusions into practice. That is now also the plan against Fürth.”
We’ll need another top defensive performance, but we will also get our chances against Fürth – and we have to make the most of those moments.
Although Greuther Fürth have netted 13 goals in six matches – the most in the league – they have also conceded more than any other side, 15 in total. “That is the area we want to target. We’ll need another top defensive performance, but we will also get our chances against Fürth – and we have to make the most of those moments,” explained Muslic. “There are still many things to improve, and we have room to grow in every phase of the game, but the hunger and desire from the lads makes me very confident.”
Fürth’s goal-laden games mean they sit 10th after six matchdays. Their wins against Dynamo Dresden (3-2), 1. FC Magdeburg (5-4) and most recently Arminia Bielefeld (3-1) have come alongside defeats in Braunschweig (3-2) and at home to Holstein Kiel (2-0) and 1. FC Kaiserslautern (3-0). One thing they share with Schalke 04 though is that neither team has drawn a game so far this season. “Their performances in Magdeburg and Bielefeld were very strong, showing the natural confidence and self-belief they have with players like Noel Futkeu, Branimir Hrgota and Felix Klaus,” summarised Schalke’s head coach.
Timo Becker a doubt
His team are already looking forward to Friday evening’s home game. With four wins from six matches, the Royal Blues are currently fifth. At home, Schalke have beaten Hertha BSC (2-1) and VfL Bochum (2-1), while on the road they picked up victories at Dynamo Dresden (1-0) and, most recently, in Magdeburg (2-0). Only the narrow defeats at 1. FC Kaiserslautern (1-0) and against Holstein Kiel (1-0) prevent an even better record. Muslic therefore warned again: “If we are not at 100 percent, we won’t take any points – not even one.”
Whether Schalke will be able to line up with the same starting XI as in Magdeburg is still unclear: Timo Becker suffered a blow to the pelvis in the most recent league match and is still in pain. “It’s possible that he will miss out, but we have scenarios to replace Timo and a good plan up our sleeve,” emphasised Muslic.
