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Miron Muslic: We’re determined to reach the round of 16
FC Schalke 04 travel to Dynamo Dresden for their DFB-Pokal second-round tie on Wednesday (28/10), with kick-off at 18:00 CET. Fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, which has been sold out for weeks. Both sides are known for covering plenty of ground, and with a place in the round of 16 at stake, there will have to be a winner on the night.
Despite having several players unavailable, the Royal Blues head to the state of Saxony with a clear objective. “This is an important game for us as a team and for the club as a whole. We’re determined to reach the round of 16 and will give absolutely everything to make that happen. Hopefully, we’ll finally get another home tie in the next round of the DFB-Pokal,” said Miron Muslic.
Schalke have been knocked out in the second round in each of the last five seasons, but the head coach is not concerned with what has happened in previous years. “We’re not focusing on the past, but on the present and the future. We’re hugely ambitious,” stressed the 44-year-old. The Royal Blues overcame Regionalliga Nordost side Hallescher FC 5-2 after extra time in the first round this season, while Dresden progressed with a 6-0 away win against Regionalliga West outfit Westfalia Rhynern.
Squad to be decided after final training session
It remains unclear which players Schalke will have available for Wednesday’s trip to the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. “We’ll have a clearer picture after Tuesday’s final training session of who is fit to play and who can be included in the squad,” he explained. The Schalke head coach was already without several players through injury ahead of the recent Bundesliga match in Cologne, and Soufiane El-Faouzi and Robin Gosens were also forced off during that game. The pair suffered cuts to their foreheads after colliding shortly before half time, with El-Faouzi also sustaining a broken nose. Muslic reported that both were doing well under the circumstances and had been fortunate to escape more serious injuries.
We’ll have a strong starting XI and good options on the bench to help us achieve our goal.
“Regardless of who is available for the cup game, I’m certain we’ll have a strong starting XI and good options on the bench to help us achieve our goal. Whoever is involved will give everything for Schalke 04,” said Muslic. “In situations like this, we pull together even more closely. That togetherness has been one of our strengths over the past 16 months.” During that time, the Royal Blues have repeatedly shown their ability to cope with the absence of key players by working together as a team.
Two closely contested meetings last season
Muslic is familiar with much of the Dresden squad and their head coach Thomas Stamm from last season. “They were two close games,” he recalled, referring to Schalke’s 1-0 away win in the first half of the campaign and the 2-2 draw at the VELTINS-Arena later in the season.
Dresden had the fourth-best record in the league over the second half of last season, so their tally of just eight points from nine games this term has come as something of a surprise. “Dresden are finding it a little difficult to turn good performances into good results at the moment,” said Muslic. “They’re a good footballing side and cover more ground than any other team in the 2. Bundesliga. We’re prepared for that, just as we’re prepared for the atmosphere in the stadium. We know what to expect from last season, when we narrowly won the league game there thanks to a Kenan Karaman penalty. I’m looking forward to this cup game.”
