Karel Geraerts: We need to defend better as a unit

The Royal Blues are set for a tricky test this Friday away at the BBBank Wildpark. Karlsruher SC have been the best team in the second division in 2024 with 44 points from 21 games, and the hosts are unbeaten in the new season with 10 points from their first four matches. “Karlsruhe have been really strong in recent months. They’ve got a good coach in Christian Eichner and they have a clean plan,” explained Schalke’s head coach. “I’m not surprised that they’ve already got 10 points on the board.”

At the same time, Geraerts was quick to focus on his own team. “We’re coming up against a good side, but we’ve also worked well, have a plan and believe in the path we’ve chosen.” The Belgian’s first game in charge of S04 came last season in the corresponding fixture and ended in a 3-0 defeat. He’s hoping for a better result this time around, particularly after a slow start to the season with just four points from the opening four games. “We’ve got a good energy in the team, everyone believes in our plan – that gives me a positive feeling.”

One important part of preparations for the game has been the defence, though the 42-year-old doesn’t want the back-four to take the full blame for conceding nine goals this term: “We defend as a team and need to do better as a unit.” Geraerts believes that, to provide more stability, it’s important to show confidence in players after mistakes.

Seguin and Kalas unavailable

The Knappen will be without Paul Seguin for the trip to Karlsruhe. “When Paul’s not at 100%, we have to find another solution. We’ve got other options,” said the S04 coach. Geraerts will decide after the final training session on Thursday whether or not Moussa Sylla will be part of the squad after his injury against 1. FC Köln. He was pleased to discuss Tomas Kalas’ return to training this week following the completion of his rehabilitation work in England, even if the Czech defender will not be ready for the KSC game.