David Wagner: We have to be confident and brave

Wagner is also counting on the support of the Schalke fans before Saturday’s game. “We will have a greater chance of success if everybody, on and off the pitch, gives their all. Our fans can give us a real boost, which can push the players on,” explains Wagner, who added: “We definitely won’t be intimated.”

Find solutions and make the most of our chances

The coach also wants his side to be confident and brave when they have possession. “Everybody knows how strong Bayern are, but we have a chance against every team we face,” said the 47-year-old. “We have to find solutions and make the most of our chances.”

Bayern could include new signing Philippe Coutinho in their starting XI, although Wagner isn’t particularly worried by that: “They have a number of good players. We are only focusing on ourselves, as that is the only thing we can influence.”

Boujellab is available again

S04 will be without Suat Serdar, after the midfielder picked up a knee injury in the first-round DFB-Pokal win at Drochtersen/Asssel. “I’m hopeful that he’ll return to training next week,” said Wagner, who has Nassim Boujellab available for the opening season home game. The youngster had recently been out with a facial fracture.

Ozan Kabak, Alessandro Schöpf and Mark Uth are making good progress too. Schöpf and Uth should, all things being well, play for the U23s at the weekend. Schöpf already played for the Regionalliga side last weekend too. Ozan Kabak will increase his training workload in the coming days after his foot injury.

Jonas Carls (ligament injury and bruised foot), Steven Skrzybski (thigh problem) and Rabbi Matondo will definitely miss Saturday’s encounter with Bayern. Wagner gave an update on the Welsh winger: “His stitches were removed yesterday, so the wound has now healed. He will start light training soon, but he will take a while to get fit after missing four weeks of training.”