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Karel Geraerts: Build on the positives
The first competitive game of 2024 for the Royal Blues is at the primetime slot on Saturday night (20/1, 20:30 CET) against Hamburger SV at the VELTINS-Arena. Karel Geraerts believes his team is ready to take on the side currently third in the table. “We want to build on the positives from the past few weeks,” said the head coach.
The Belgian praised his team’s hard work during the last two and a half weeks and said that the squad has grown closer together thanks to the training camp in Albufeira. “The team has made progress. We can feel positive vibes, created from the players themselves over the last few weeks,” explained the 42-year-old. One example of this was the final friendly, a 3-1 win over Belgian first-division side KAS Eupen at the VELTINS-Arena last Saturday. The Royal Blues dominated large parts of the game and scored two goals from lovely moves too.
We can feel positive vibes, created from the players themselves over the last few weeks.
“We want to see this against Hamburg too, preferably throughout the whole game,” demanded the coach. A positive result against the Rothosen would see S04 extend their unbeaten run from before Christmas. The Knappen picked up seven points from their final three games, winning 4-0 against Osnabrück, 2-0 in Rostock and then drawing 2-2 at home against Fürth.
“We need to play with passion. We will climb the table if we do that every single week,” said Geraerts, who is still taking things game by game. The upcoming opponents are “one of the best teams in the league and want to be back in the Bundesliga next season. We respect HSV, however we also know what we’re capable of.”
Murkin suspended, trio working their way back from injury
Geraerts won’t be able to call upon Derry John Murkin on matchday 18, a player who has featured in every game since joining the club in August 2023. The versatile defender was sent off against Fürth and is therefore suspended for this game. Leo Greiml, Assan Ouédraogo and Sebastian Polter all remain unavailable as they are still completing rehabilitation training following their respective injuries.
Most of the decisions are clear in my head, but I’ll only settle on things after our final training session.
Paul Seguin, on the other hand, is ready to play again. The midfielder missed the friendly with KAS Eupen due to a cold. Goalkeeper Marius Müller is fit again after spending the last few months on the sidelines. He trained with the team throughout the winter break and made his first appearance in a game for the U23s on Wednesday (17/1) against Fortuna Köln (2-1 win). Danny Latza and Yusuf Kabadayi, who weren’t able to fully train with the team in Albufeira, are now also in full team training.
“I’ve got a good selection of players to choose from for my starting XI,” said Geraerts. “Most of the decisions are clear in my head, but I’ll only settle on things after our final training session.” A trio of players from the U23s, Niklas Castelle, Jimmy Kaparos and Steven van der Sloot, could all make the squad after spending the whole winter break with the first team. “Some of them may be involved against Hamburg,” confirmed the coach. “They all have their qualities and have taken the chance to impress. They will have earned a place in the squad if they make it.”
