Miron Muslic: We’re really looking forward to a huge clash

“It doesn’t get any more challenging,” determined the head coach of the Royal Blues right at the outset of Friday’s press conference, “The two most in-form sides sitting first and second in the table are facing off against one another.” Muslic showed the team from East Westphalia and their head coach, Ralf Kettemann, the requisite respect: “Paderborn are a team who have performed at a top level all season. But we have proved that we can hold our own in big games and are really looking forward to this huge clash.”

The form mentioned by S04’s coach reveals astonishing, even almost uncanny parallels. On matchday 22, Schalke climbed to the top of the league and, since then, have six wins and four draws to their name, scoring 21 goals and conceding only 12. In the same amount of time, SCP have the exact same record, even down to the overall scoreline. Both teams even matched one another the last time they lost. On 31st January, the Royal Blues were defeated 2-0 by VfL Bochum, while Fortuna Düsseldorf beat Paderborn 2-1 the following day.

Only one key statistic separates the two best teams in the league. While the Royal Blues still haven’t lost a game against their direct competitors in the top 5, emerging victorious on five occasions and drawing twice, SCP remain winless in such encounters. “We’ve had a fantastic season so far and are completely focussed on each and every opponent, regardless of their position in the table,” noted Muslic. “We have an excellent record against the sides towards the top of the table but, just as we did in Elversberg and Darmstadt, we’ll need a first-class performance in Paderborn.”

In the reverse fixture, the Royal Blues ran out as 2-1 winners in the VELTINS-Arena thanks to goals from Kenan Karaman and Bryan Lasme, knocking Paderborn off the top spot in the process. As the current league leaders, Schalke have established a three-point gap to SCP ahead of the fourth-last match of the season. The opposition’s standout player this season has been striker Filip Bilbija who has 14 goals to his name this season. In Paderborn’s last home match, Bilbija netted all four in a 4-3 victory over 1. FC Magdeburg.

In general, Muslic views Paderborn as an opponent who “are well organised and have a clear structure in each phase of the game, but who can flip any game on its head with fresh legs off the bench.” Once the game starts, however, the Royal Blues will want to focus on their own performance under his guidance: “Over the whole season, we’ve given it our all to be in this type of situation – that only happens with incredible consistency,” said Muslic. “We can see how to keep our momentum going – and then nobody will be able to stop us.”

Royal Blues mourn loss of Manfred Kreuz

Mika Wallentowitz and Bryan Lasme (both thigh injuries) will be unavailable for the clash in Paderborn. But there was good news for Edin Džeko, since the Bosnian striker returned to training on Wednesday. “He’s given it his all to make his comeback, and we’re over the moon with his recovery,” expressed S04’s head coach. The attacker will possibly be able to return to the squad for the Royal Blues’ next home game against Fortuna Düsseldorf.

The Schalke team will play with black armbands on Sunday after honorary S04 captain Manfred Kreuz, who won the 1958 German championship with the Royal Blues, passed away at the age of 90 this week.