Domenico Tedesco: Many candidates to start against Berlin

After more than three and a half months, Domenico Tedesco can’t wait for the return of league football to the VELTINS-Arena on Sunday, 2nd September when Schalke face Hertha Berlin (18:00 CEST). “We’re incredibly excited for our first home match of the season” said the head coach. There are still a few tickets available for the match.

Bundesliga

31.08.18, 14:39

Domenico Tedesco

Schalke’s coach expects a difficult encounter for his side. “Hertha BSC have had a good pre-season and started the season well. We have a lot to do to get something successful out of the match. One of the reasons for the Old Lady’s good form has been deploying a back three in defence. “Berlin are now much more stable compared with last year. Karim Rekik, Niklas Stark and Jordan Torunarigha are three super central defenders who don’t let much through,” said Tedesco.

A back three or a back four?

Tedesco doesn’t want to reveal whether the Royal Blues will use a back three or change to a back four. Benjamin Stambouli has failed to recover from his syndesmosis injury while Natija Nastastic has had his suspension reduced from two games to one after a successful appeal. “We are mastering both systems. Naldo has played in a back four for the majority of his career; it wouldn’t be a problem likewise for Salif Sané. The other players in the team also know, how to conduct themselves in this formation,” explained Tedesco.

There are others factors more important than the formation. “We have to bring our game onto the pitch and show what we developed in pre-season. We require a good mentality and certain aggression to achieve this” emphasised the 32 year old. “If we follow this then there is a very good chance of victory.”

We are mastering multiple systems.

Domenico Tedesco

Mendyl and Rudy are candidates to start

Tedesco has kept his options open in planning the starting formation for the match. “We’ve got many candidates who could start on Saturday,” noted the coach. Both new signings Hamza Mendyl and Sebastian Rudy are eligible to play. “We have a good blend of players in the squad. It isn’t too big nor too small and every individual has a chance to start.”

Alongside Stambouli and Nastasic, the Royal Blues will be without Bastian Oczipka, who is returning to fitness after his groin operation. Omar Mascarell also hasn’t returned to full fitness since tearing a muscle fibre in his thigh. Tedesco added “we don’t want to risk anything, Omar is therefore not a candidate for the squad.

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