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Karel Geraerts: We can’t afford to take it easy
FC Schalke 04 will be hoping to use the momentum from their crucial 2-0 victory over 1. FC Nürnberg when they take on SV Elversberg in a competitive away game for the first time on Friday evening (19/4, 18:30 CEST).
The Royal Blues will extend the gap between themselves and the relegation play-off spot by seven points for at least 48 hours with a win over Elversberg. Cedric Brunner will not be involved in the match, as the full-back is struggling with knee issues. According to S04 head coach Karel Geraerts, Assan Ouédraogo’s involvement in the game is also doubtful.
The biggest mistake we could make is starting to think that the job’s done. If we do that, we’ll run into trouble a couple of weeks down the line.
Geraerts has three options waiting in the wings to replace Brunner at right-back –a fully fit Brandon Soppy, Henning Matriciani and Steven van der Sloot. The Belgian stated that a final decision would be made on Friday. Geraerts also stressed that his team shouldn’t switch off following the recent win over Nürnberg. “The biggest mistake we could make is starting to think that the job’s done. If we do that, we’ll run into trouble a couple of weeks down the line,” explained the Royal Blues’ head coach. “We’ve got to keep working hard and stick together as a team in order to see things through.”
Elversberg with a win at the Millerntor last time out
A quick glance at the 2. Bundesliga standings is all you need to realise that Schalke are going to have their hands full on Friday. SVE currently have four more points than Schalke and sit two places above the Royal Blues in the league table. In their last match, Elversberg ran out as 4-3 winners over high flyers FC St. Pauli. Horst Steffen’s side also triumphed 2-1 in their first-ever competitive game against Schalke in November. “They’re a team who believe in their ability. They’ve got a strong squad with a lot of good players. I urged caution before our last game against them, and I’ve done the same this week,” said Geraerts. “If we don’t give it our all, we’ll lose. We can’t afford to take it easy.”
