Loris Karius: Find the right balance between defending well and creating chances

For the goalkeeper, the defeat against SC Freiburg is already a thing of the past: “We did a thorough analysis of the game and looked at what we can improve on. We now want to take these lessons with us into the next game.” The Royal Blues have prepared intensely for their upcoming match against the 05ers, with several sessions at Berger Feld, as well as meetings with the coaching staff.

After goalless draws in both their last two home games against FC Bayern München and SV Elversberg, the Royal Blues are hoping to finally score their first home goal of the campaign this weekend – while also keeping another clean sheet. “As a team, we want to improve our attacking output. That’s something that starts from the back, and continues up the pitch,” Karius said, adding that he has full confidence in his teammates. “I’m confident that we will be able to break our duck at the VELTINS-Arena. That’s a goal that we’re all working hard to achieve.”

At the back, the shot-stopper is aiming to maintain the same defensive stability that has defined the team so far this term. “It always helps when you only need to score one goal to win, rather than three. That’s why it’s very important for us to be well-positioned and to defend. But there’s always room for improvement there as well.”

Karius featured for Mainz from 2012 to 2016, making the majority of his 100 career Bundesliga appearances for the club. “I occasionally speak with their goalkeeper coach Stephan Kuhnert, who I know from my time there,” he shared. “Outside of that, there’s a lot that’s changed, of course. That’s just how it is in football – things change very quickly.” As a result, the Schalke goalkeeper is remaining focused on himself in order to “continue delivering strong performances every week.”