Miron Muslic: Our approach is clear – we’re playing to win

“The team are in great shape,” the 43-year-old shared of the impression he was able to gain from their sessions during the international break. He also praised their “focus and intensity. The lads are motivating each other, are fully focused and ready.”

Public training session on Good Friday

The fans were able to witness this firsthand on Wednesday (1/4), when more than 800 Schalke supporters turned up to watch the team train. The club are expecting an even bigger crowd to attend the session on Good Friday (10:45 CEST). “This shows just how close the connection is between the team and the fans – the way in which we support and need each other, as well as the passion and love that units us,” Muslic said.

The team will once again be able to draw on the support of their fans at home against Karlsruhe this weekend. “I’m repeating myself now, but as I keep saying: When we play at the VELTINS-Arena, we’re not just playing 11-vs-11, but rather 60,000 Royal Blues against our opponent,” he shared. The club can also count on the passionate support of the fans on the road as well. “It gives us an incredible amount of energy,” the head coach shared.

The Royal Blues will once again need this energy against Karlsruhe, if they hope to keep the three points in Gelsenkirchen. “KSC have enjoyed a fantastic start to the year,” Muslic said of the upcoming opponents. Head coach Christian Eichner’s side were able to beat SpVgg Greuther Fürth 3-1 in their last game, courtesy of two late goals. KSC can be found level on points (15) with S04 in a table representing the second half of the season.

Praise for his counterpart in the dugout

“My counterpart, Christian Eichner, did extremely well during a challenging period last autumn, when things weren’t going so well,” Muslic said. That period proved that the team are fully behind their head coach, with that loyalty now being represented in their recent performances. “Karlsruhe also have one of the league’s standout players in their ranks, in the form of Marvin Wanitzek,” Muslic said. “He has had a hand in the most goals of any player, behind Fabian Reese, and is always a threat.”

However, KSC have more dangerous players in their ranks that the Royal Blues will need to keep an eye on. “Their team has a lot of quality in it,” Muslic warned, before adding, “We’re as well-prepared as possible. The way we’ve played in recent weeks means that we have no reason to doubt ourselves against any opponent. We always have respect for them, but we’re never scared of them. Our approach is clear – we’re playing to win!”

The Royal Blues will be without Edin Džeko this weekend. Although the striker has already served his one-match ban following his red card against Hannover 96, a shoulder injury in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s World Cup play-off final against Italy will keep him sidelined for at least this weekend. “It’s obviously a tough blow for us,” said Muslic. Džeko is set to undergo another MRI following his return to Gelsenkirchen.

Full confidence in Moussa Sylla

As was the case in Darmstadt, Moussa Sylla will be tasked with deputising for the veteran striker. “They’re two different players. What they share, however, is an understanding of how to find the back of the net, as well as how to constantly pose a threat inside the box. I’m confident that Moussa will be able to score a couple of important goals for us over the coming weeks,” said the 43-year-old.

The team also have full confidence in Sylla. “One of our biggest strengths throughout this season has been our ability to act as a collective. It’s never about the individual, but rather always about the team. Every injury-enforced absence hurts us, but we have been able to compensate for all of them so far as a team and will continue to do just that,” the head coach emphasised.

In addition to Džeko, Nikola Katic also played the full 120 minutes of Bosnia’s play-off final tie against Italy. The duo were able to celebrate a 4-1 win on penalties (1-1 a.e.t.) against the Azzurri, which also earned them a spot at this summer’s World Cup. “Nikola put in a strong performance over 120 minutes in both the play-off semi-final against Wales, as well as against Italy and will therefore return home with plenty of confidence,” Muslic said. Adil Aouchiche, Mertcan Ayhan and Mika Wallentowitz were also all away with their respective national sides during the international break and were all able to make their debuts: Aouchiche for Algeria’s senior side, Ayhan for the Türkiye U21s and Wallentowitz for the Germany U19s.

During this time, their teammates remained in Gelsenkirchen and also played a friendly in Schweinfurt. The end of the international break also saw Muslic announce the return of several previously injured players. Christopher Antwi-Adjei, Adrian Gantenbein and Bryan Lasme are all once again available for selection, having played a large role in Schalke’s success last autumn. Anton Donkor is also back to full fitness. Despite making positive progress on his road to recovery, Sunday’s game comes too soon for Vitalie Becker.