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Kees van Wonderen: Bring more pace to the pitch and get in behind their backline
FC Schalke 04 prepare to welcome SSV Jahn Regensburg to the VELTINS-Arena on Sunday afternoon (10/11, 13:30 CET). The Royal Blues will be looking to end their four-game wait for a win in the league against Regensburg, who are currently bottom of the table. "The players have brought a lot of energy to the pitch this week," said head coach Kees van Wonderen.
Promoted Regensburg currently have seven points to their name, recently ushering in a change of coach as well. Assistant coach Andreas Patz has been chosen to take over from Joe Enochs, who oversaw their promotion last season. The club have since won 1-0 in both their last two matches across all competitions (vs. Greuther Fürth in the DFB-Pokal and SV Elversberg in Bundesliga 2).
We need to bring more pace to the pitch, switch the play and expose the gaps between Regensburg's players as well as get in behind their backline.
Van Wonderen will look to prepare his team for the opponent’s style of play, while also seeking to have more possession and energy in attack. “We need to bring more pace to the pitch, switch the play and expose the gaps between Regensburg’s players as well as get in behind their backline,” he said.
The head coach is well aware of the significance of this match and of how important it is for his side to return to winning ways. According to the 55-year-old, he is focused on training and preparing for the upcoming match.
Trio of players set to return
Van Wonderen has been supported on the pitch by Tim Hoogland in recent days, who has joined the coaching staff as an additional assistant coach. “We spoke with each other and he made a very good impression,” said van Wonderen, adding that Hoogland is very knowledgeable about the club’s youth players and shares a similar approach to the game. “We work together well.”
The Royal Blues will be able to call upon Felipe Sanchez once again this weekend, with the defender having served his suspension following his sending off against Greuther Fürth. Moussa Sylla and Christopher Antwi-Adjei will also be able to return to the matchday squad after having missed the last two and four games respectively. “I’m feeling optimistic and I’m confident that we will soon have a full squad available again,” said van Wonderen. There are still some doubts surrounding certain players ahead of Sunday, but the head coach is optimistic “that we will have a strong squad on Sunday.”
