Domenico Tedesco: A match that we definitely want to play

“It’s a match that we definitely want to play,” stressed Tedesco. “It gives us a chance to give players who have been out injured all season some game time, such as Steven Skrzybski or Bastian Oczipka. As well as this, we will get to see our younger players in first-team action too.”

Both teams have met once before in a friendly. The game, which took place on January 20th 2007, was won 2-1 by Schalke, thanks to goals from Marcelo Bordon and Kevin Kuranyi. The fixture also marked the start of GAZPROM’s time as Schalke club sponsor.

A chance for the players who haven’t played much this season

The Schalke head coach was quick to confirm that he won’t be moaning about losing Breel Embolo and Mark Uth to long-term injuries: “We have a large squad with several players who haven’t played that much recently,” said Tedesco.

Naldo, who hasn’t appeared in the last three competitive matches, is still an important part of the 33-year-old’s squad. “Benjamin Stambouli, Salif Sané and Matija Nastasic were simply playing well,” explained Tedesco. “Up until the Frankfurt game we had been winning and had stabilised our defence somewhat, therefore we chose to carry on with those lads instead of Naldo. His time will soon come again.”

Tedesco has clear aims to be achieved by the winter break: “We want to win a few more games before the year is out and get through to the last 16 of the Champions League. Then we will go into the second half of the season fully recharged and will hope to achieve something,” commented a confident Tedesco.