Karel Geraerts: Be focused and brave once again

Both teams looked to be starting the season off well, with S04 and FCN both leading 2-0 at times in their respective matches. However, while the Royal Blues were able to celebrate a 5-1 triumph over Eintracht Braunschweig at the VELTINS-Arena, Nürnberg fell to a 3-2 defeat against Karlsruhe.

Geraerts full of praise for the opposition

Karel Geraerts has conducted a full analysis of Nürnberg’s first game. “We’re up against a team that play good football and that have been able to record strong results in recent weeks,” said the coach. FCN most recently beat Juventus 3-0, remaining unbeaten across five pre-season friendlies.

“I was impressed by Nürnberg’s performance in the first half against Karslruhe. Taking a 2-0 lead there isn’t to be expected. Last season showed us just how strong KSC can be at home,” Geraerts said. Having suffered a narrow defeat in their opening match of the season, the S04 head coach is certain that FCN will “now want to pick up their first three points at home. They will do everything in order to ensure that they leave the pitch victorious.”

This mindset is also shared by the team, as they prepare for kickoff. “The lads have trained hard and remained focused this past week,” he praised, adding that he and his staff had made sure to thoroughly analyse the win against Braunschweig. “Of course I told and showed my players examples of what they’d done well. But, we also addressed the things that we need to improve on still.” The coach was pleased to see that none of his players have let the result from their opening go to their heads, saying “The lads didn’t get carried away afterwards, instead, they remained calm. Everyone knows that we need to start anew in Nürnberg and that a new challenge awaits us.”

Schalke are unlikely to change anything about their approach ahead of Saturday’s match at the Max-Morlock-Stadion. “During pre-season and against Braunschweig, we proved that we want to play bravely and score goals. At the same time, we also need to remain focused in defence,” the head coach laid out. In the end, it’s about finding the right balance, with Geraerts adding, “We can be flexible in our tactics and want to continue on like we have so far.”

Some doubts

The 42-year-old will need to make some changes to his line-up this weekend, however. “Three players are a doubt,” he reveled at Thursday’s press conference. “Paul Seguin was only able to train individually this week, as was Janik Bachmann.” In both cases, the coach will need to wait until after the team’s final training session to determine whether they will be able to play. Tomas Kalas is also a doubt for Saturday, as he is currently dealing with an inflammation of the patellar tendon. “There is little chance of him playing in Nürnberg,” Geraerts said.

The head coach is already thinking of ways in which to replace the trio. Ibrahima Cissé, Marcin Kaminski, Felipe Sanchez and Martin Wasinski could all potentially come into the side for Kalas. Academy product Max Grüger could also make his competitive first-team debut in midfield. “He’s an option,” Geraerts explained, “Max has impressed us in training with some strong performances. He’s definitely an option for us.” There are also other alternatives, should Seguin or Bachmann not be fit in time.

“Since the start of pre-season, I’ve emphasised that every player in our squad is important. If someone isn’t able to play, we will be able to find a solution. Regardless of who starts in Nürnberg, we will be able to field a strong team,” the 42-year-old said. “Every single player has demonstrated in training that they really want to play. That’s a great sign and leaves me with a good feeling.”