Miron Muslic: We’ll once again stay true to our principles

FC Schalke 04 will return to match action on Saturday against the third-division side, 20 days after their last fixture. Following an intense first half of the season, which ended with a 2-1 defeat away at Eintracht Braunschweig shortly before Christmas, players and staff were able to recharge their batteries over the festive period. The second half of the campaign gets underway in just over a week, with an away trip to Hertha BSC (17/1).

The squad have been back at work since 2nd January, with several key players returning to training last Tuesday after extended leave. The focus now is on sharpening the team’s established patterns of play, as head coach Miron Muslic explained: “What matters to us on Saturday is intensity within our structure. That’s something we’ve emphasised in the first sessions of the new year.” The game in Osnabrück is an important test before the Hertha game next week: “A friendly gives us valuable insights, which is why we’re happy to take this opportunity on Saturday.”

VfL Osnabrück, who were relegated from the 2. Bundesliga in 2024, are currently pushing for promotion and sit sixth, just two points off third place. “Osnabrück are an ambitious third-tier side aiming to get back to the 2. Bundesliga,” Muslic said. “I expect us to be properly tested on Saturday. We’ll once again stay true to our principles, which made us strong in the first half of the season, and we now want to build on again.” In the 2023/24 campaign, the Royal Blues won both league meetings between the sides 4-0.