Miron Muslic: We need to impose ourselves on the game

Schalke’s head coach stressed that the first-round tie with the club from the Leipzig district of Probstheida will not be a walk in the park, even though the home team are two divisions below the Knappen. “Our opponents will really test us. We’re prepared and ready for that,” said the 42-year-old. Lokomotive Leipzig won last season’s Regionalliga Nordost but missed out on promotion to the third division after losing their promotion play-off against TSV Havelse (the winners of the Regionalliga Nord). Their next attempt at getting promoted has started promisingly, with Jochen Seitz’s team collecting seven points from their first three games of 2025/26.

Be fully switched on for the whole game

“Lok are quite simply used to winning games. They picked up 76 points in the Regionalliga Nordost last season and won their regional cup competition too,” commented Muslic. Lok boss Jochen Seitz actually played 25 competitive games for Schalke back in the 2003/04 season.

Muslic’s analysis has shown him that Seitz’s side have a solid structure and are well-organised, as well as clinical in front of goal. He’s expecting them to start with a 4-4-2 formation and to operate with a low block. “Lok will be waiting to pounce on any mistakes we make in possession and will look to counter-attack as soon as they can,” he predicted. “We need to impose ourselves on the game, be fully switched on throughout and stick to our principles.”

The Schalke head coach is confident that his players will be able to do that after “a really good week of training. It was definitely the most intense week of training since I’ve been here. We really wanted to step things up and also prepare for this Pokal game as best we could.” Despite the high temperatures over the past few days, Muslic has been pleased with his players’ commitment in training: “The lads are trying their hardest and are pushing one another on in every session.”

Karaman to return to the starting XI, Heekeren to start in goal

Captain Kenan Karaman was one of those players working his socks off in training, and the attacker is set to return to the starting XI after making his comeback from off the bench last time out in Kaiserslautern, playing the final 27 minutes. “Kenan has worked so hard to get back to action over the past few weeks. He’s now fully fit and will lead the team out in Leipzig,” revealed Muslic.

Muslic is also planning to recall Nikola Katic to the team. The Bosnia international was suspended for the trip to Kaiserslautern last time out after being sent off against Hertha, though the concussion he suffered on the opening night of the season would have ruled him out anyway. “Nikola got the green light from our medical team six days ago. He’s completed every training session since then and not had any issues,” disclosed Muslic, who also informed the journalists present of another decision he’s made. “Justin Heekeren will start in goal in Leipzig,” he said, while still underlining that Loris Karius will remain his first choice-goalkeeper.

The decision to start Heekeren against Lok is “a reward for the hard work Justin has put in during training. He has earned this,” said Muslic. In doing so, the head coach is sticking to his promise to reward players for their consistent, good performances in training. He had previously done the same with Vitalie Becker, Felipe Sanchez and Peter Remmert.

The latter will have to miss the match against Lok, however, after picking up an injury to his left ankle during Schalke’s recent trip to Kaiserslautern. Taylan Bulut will also not be part of the squad, having been relieved of his first-team duties in order to pursue talks with another club. Muslic will also be without midfielder Ron Schallenberg (thigh). Pape Meïssa Ba is back with the team, after his transfer to Queens Park Rangers couldn’t be completed. The striker has already completed an individual session in Gelsenkirchen and will return to team training on Saturday (16/8).