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Kees van Wonderen: Our focus must always be on our next game
After enduring back-to-back defeats, FC Schalke 04 want to get back to winning ways on Sunday (16/2) at 13:30 CET against Karlsruher SC at the VELTINS-Arena. “We have prepared well and want to win the game,” stressed Kees van Wonderen ahead of the weekend. The opponents started the season strongly and were in second place at Christmas but are winless since the turn of the year and have now slipped down to 10th.
KSC do top the league in one regard, however. This Sunday’s visitors have hit the woodwork on 15 occasions this season, seven more times than Hamburger SV who rank second in this category. “They have also conceded a few late goals recently. Their last few matches have all been really close,” analysed Schalke’s head coach, who also pointed out that a lot of results in the 2. Bundesliga in 2025 have once again underlined how competitive the league is. “There are no easy games and you have to be fully focused in every single match,” stated van Wonderen. “A lot of teams are experiencing plenty of ups and downs this season. Looking at recent results, both Karlsruhe and ourselves are somewhat out of form after a good run.”
There are no easy games and you have to be fully focused in every single match.
For van Wonderen, it’s important that the Royal Blues learn the right lessons from the defeats to Magdeburg and Köln. “I knew that we wouldn’t win every game. What really matters is how we deal with the losses. We need to learn things and continue to focus on our work,” said the 56-year-old. Aside from developing the style of football the Knappen want to be playing, another goal is to reach the 40-point mark as soon as possible. “Our focus must always be on our next game.”
Seguin back from suspension, Bulut fit again
Van Wonderen will have several players available to him again after they missed the trip to Cologne. Paul Seguin is eligible to play after serving his suspension for five yellow cards, while Taylan Bulut has fully recovered from his illness.
The coach was also able to provide some good news regarding Derry John Murkin and Aymen Barkok, who were both unable to finish training at the start of the week. The pair both trained with the rest of the team on Friday (14/2). “Derry completed the full session, Aymen trained partially. Both will be in team training tomorrow as well,” revealed the Dutchman. Justin Heekeren is also fit to play after suffering from a cold following the Köln defeat. “He feels good and will start in goal against Karlsruhe.”
Moussa Sylla (muscle strain), Emil Højlund (thigh injury) and Mauro Zalazar (on international duty with Uruguay U20s) remain unavailable.
