Sebastian Polter: The belief that we can stay in this division is immense

“I’d have rather not scored if it had meant that we won the game,” explained the 32-year-old after the thrilling draw with Eintracht on matchday 33. Although Schalke picked up an important point in their fight for survival, the Royal Blues were left wondering what might have been after a match which they could have won. After Simon Terrode gave the home side the lead in the first minute, Moritz Jenz came close to doubling Schalke’s lead in the 15th. “We started really well and we should’ve taken some emotion out of the game by making it 2-0,” explained Polter.

Team shows its character once again

Instead, it was Frankfurt who got the second goal of the contest in controversial fashion. Cedric Brunner was bodychecked by Christopher Lenz in the build-up, but play continued. Eintracht then took the lead early in the second half but the Royal Blues never gave up. “Even when we were behind, we still had the belief that we could turn the game around,” said Polter.

Although Schalke couldn’t quite find the winner, the point could prove vital ahead of next Saturday’s final day clash in Leipzig (27/5).

Marius Bülter will be available against Leipzig following his suspension, but Moritz Jenz and Simon Terodde will miss out after picking up their fifth yellow cards against Eintracht. Although S04 will be without a couple of key names, Polter has the utmost faith in the squad: “We have enough players in the squad who have shown that they can impact games,” explained the striker, who believes his side have the right to be confident against Leipzig. “The belief that we can stay in this division is immense and it has grown over recent weeks and months. We will bring this belief into the final game next week.”