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Karel Geraerts: We want to see a different team on the pitch
Head coach Karel Geraerts is set to take charge of his first home game on Saturday (28/10, 13:00 CEST), when FC Schalke 04 welcome Hannover 96 to the VELTINS-Arena. The Belgian is expecting his side to deliver an improved performance compared to last week in Karlsruhe. "The players know the seriousness of the situation we're currently in," the 41-year-old said. "In life and in football, you will always be faced with moments like this. The important thing is to not give up and instead to continue fighting and believing in our shared goal."
The team have a responsibility to the fans to keep doing so, having left them extremely disappointed with last weekend’s loss at the BBBank Wildpark. The message from the fans was clearly received, according to Geraerts, who added that he will not accept another performance like the one in the first half against KSC. “We need players that want to have the ball, who play with confidence and who really want to win,” he said. “That’s exactly what we were lacking in the first half. I want to see a different team on the pitch against Hannover.”
We need players that want to have the ball, who play with confidence and who really want to win.
Geraerts continues to have confidence in the team’s quality, having held several individual and group discussions with the players over the past days. He is now tasked with finding the right starting line-up to help the team out of the tricky situation they find themselves in. According to Geraerts, his decisions will be made based on attitude and fighting spirit, not the name on the back of the shirt. Schalke need players with substance, that can handle the pressure. “No one is guaranteed to start,” he said.
Done analysing the Karlsruhe game, focus is now fully on Hannover
Geraerts used this week’s training sessions to prepare the team as best as possible for the upcoming match. “We spoke about the Karlsruhe game and analysed it at the start of the week, before then shifting our focus fully to Hannover 96,” he explained. Despite the disappointment over last weekend’s defeat, it was important for the players to pick themselves up and prepare to go again. “It wouldn’t have been good to dwell on it. However, on the other hand, I also don’t want to the team to get complacent after a win. It’s about continuing to work hard in order to be successful,” emphasised the 41-year-old.
Hannover 96 have enjoyed a strong start to the season and currently find themselves in fourth place – deservedly so, according to Geraerts. “They are a strong team. Our upcoming opponents are very disciplined in defence and in attack,” he shared. Nevertheless, the Royal Blues are heading into this weekend’s clash with the aim of picking up three points and ushering in an upturn in fortunes.
Karaman able to return to the squad
The head coach will be able to include Kenan Karaman in his squad this weekend, after the attacker served the final game of his red-card suspension last time out. The Royal Blues will once again be without Cedric Brunner (groin), Marius Müller (ruptured adductor tendon) and Leo Greiml (ACL tear). Sebastian Polter is expected to be available for selection, after having been out with illness at the start of the week. He has since been able to return to team training.
