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Karel Geraerts: A game I’ve been looking forward to for weeks
After two home games in a row, Schalke are on the road again as they visit Hertha BSC on Sunday (17th March, 13:30 CET). The Royal Blues can rely on a sizable travelling contingent to support the team in the capital. “I’ve heard there’ll be about 15,000 Schalke fans at the Olympiastadion. Some have said there might be more than 20,000,” said Karel Geraerts.
“This support is simply incredible – there’s probably no club like it in Europe. Especially not in the second tier.” The head coach told the press that he has been looking forward to the trip to Hertha for weeks: “I’m excited about the atmosphere and I’ll try to take a moment before kick-off to savour it.”
But when the ball gets rolling, Geraerts’ full focus will be on sporting matters. “Hertha will prove a difficult opponent, even if they are going through something of a rough patch at the minute,” said Geraerts, referring not just to the capital club’s recent form (Hertha have taken just two points from their last three games), but also to the shock following the death of club president Kay Bernstein earlier this year.
Analysing Sunday’s opponents, the Schalke coach spoke of Hertha as a team who are “strong in all areas, and above all in attack.” According to Geraerts, his side will have to be alert from the first minute against Hertha. “We’ve had some good moments away from home so far, but all too often we’ve failed to cover ourselves in glory. We weren’t at the races, and gave goals away too easily. That simply can’t happen in Berlin. There are no excuses – we have to keep concentrated and put in a good performance.”
This support is simply incredible – there’s probably no club like it in Europe.
Seguin suspended, Soppy injured, Karaman questionable
Geraerts will have to do without Paul Seguin against Hertha. The midfielder picked up his fifth booking of the season last time out against Paderborn and is therefore suspended for this weekend’s game. Brandon Soppy is also a definite absentee, with the right-back suffering from muscle problems.
There are still question marks surrounding the fitness of Kenan Karaman. The forward has had several niggles of late and been withdrawn from training on a number of occasions. “He gives everything for us on the pitch. Kenan is a leader, a key player, so we won’t take any risks with him,” said the coach. A decision on the 30-year-old’s place in the travelling squad will be made after the week’s final training session.
Every absence hurts, said Geraerts. “But our squad offers various possibilities to react with. We’ll find solutions.” One option for one of the gaps in the starting XI could be Assan Ouédraogo. “He’s on the right track – he’s made a positive impression in training,” said Geraerts. The 17-year-old Schalke academy graduate had been absent for several weeks with a syndesmosis injury before returning to the bench for last week’s 3-3 draw with Paderborn, but was not called upon on the pitch.
