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Karel Geraerts: We need to win away from home too if we want to climb the table
FC Schalke 04’s next game is away to 1. FC Nürnberg on Saturday afternoon (4/11) at 13:00 CET. “It will be a fantastic atmosphere, I’m sure of that. I’ve already heard a lot about this friendship. I’m now looking forward to experiencing it myself,” said Karel Geraerts before the visit to the Max-Morlock-Stadion. “We can enjoy the atmosphere up until kick off. Once the referee blows his whistle, we have to be fully focused on the game.”
The head coach and his players are looking to secure their first away win of the current season in the league, though the Belgian is aware that it will be a difficult task. “Nürnberg are really strong at home and haven’t lost at the Max-Morlock-Stadion yet this season. They are on a good run too at the moment,” said Geraerts. “If we want to climb the table, which we do, we need to start winning away from home too.” So far, the Royal Blues have picked up just one point on their travels.
Both teams went to extra time in the Pokal
Geraerts strongly believes that his team can get something from the trip to Nürnberg. For him, it’s important that the players try and make as few mistakes as possible across the 90 minutes. “I saw a few things I liked against St. Pauli. We were really compact and the team knew exactly what they needed to do,” stated the 41-year-old, reflecting on the 2-1 (a.e.t.) defeat in the DFB-Pokal on Tuesday night (31/10). Ultimately though, the coach was not happy after that cup clash: “The result was disappointing. We went there to make the next round and failed to do that.”
Once the referee blows his whistle, we have to be fully focused on the game.
Geraerts revealed that one thing determined from the post-match analysis was that the Royal Blues frequently made the wrong decision while they had possession, something they have to improve on this weekend. 1. FC Nürnberg were also in cup action in midweek, and, like S04, went to extra time. They defeated Hansa Rostock 3-2 after 120 minutes on Wednesday night at home.
Geraerts watched footage of FCN’s cup game a few hours after his team had trained back in Gelsenkirchen. As normal, the session was mainly used to help the players recover from the effects of the most recent match.
Terodde injured, Tempelmann available again
The S04 boss does not yet know which players will be part of his squad for matchday 12. “We need players that are 100% fit,” he explained. “I’ll therefore wait until after the last training session to name my squad.” Simon Terodde is a doubt after he rolled his ankle in the first half against FC St. Pauli and had to come off. “It’s going to be tight regarding Simon,” said the coach, who still has a glimmer of hope regarding the captain’s availability.
Things are looking more positive regarding Dominick Drexler and Assan Ouédraogo. The pair missed the DFB-Pokal tie as a precaution. Paul Seguin is also on the way back to full fitness after suffering from a stomach bug, however Geraerts wasn’t sure if the midfielder will be involved on Saturday. One definite returnee will be Lino Tempelmann. The 24-year-old had to sit out of the St. Pauli match due to suspension (was sent off in the first round of the cup).
