Domenico Tedesco: We’ll have to work extremely hard

“Berlin are strong at home,” Schalke’s coach acknowledges, but he also stresses: “We shouldn’t shy away against any opponents and we’ll go to the capital looking to achieve the best result possible.” With this mindset, the Royal Blues are hoping that the fans’ support can push them forwards for the whole 90 minutes, just as in the previous encounters against Hertha BSC.

Tedesco describes the Berliners as a team who stay in position well and prioritise organisation in defence. “We want to create lots of chances in their box, which means we’ll have to work extremely hard,” stresses the coach, who trained his reduced-size squad intensely during the international break. The 32-year-old has remained in regular communication with his international players in the break, especially Matija Nastasić, who has travelled with the Serbia national team and stayed in regular contact with Tedesco following a bone oedema. “I’m hoping that he’ll be able to play in Berlin,” says the coach, after Nastasić recently complained of pains again, which had previously subsided before Serbia’s World Cup qualifier against Austria.

There are questions marks hanging over a further three players. Weston McKennie (hamstring injury) and Nabil Bentaleb (pelvic bone injury) have been working very hard recently in individual training, before they were able to rejoin team training on Thursday (12th October). It will be decided before the trip to Berlin whether or not they can play this weekend.

On the contrary, Bastian Oczipka is not injured, but it is touch and go as to whether the left-footer will be able to play because his wife is currently heavily pregnant. “We’re assuming that he will be with us in Berlin,” says Tedesco, who is fully aware that there must be a plan B in place, should Oczipka not be available. Schalke’s coach does not wish to reveal anything in relation to strategy for Saturday’s game. “I don’t want to give away my starting XI early,” he grins. Pablo Insua will definitely not be playing, as the Spaniard is suffering heavily from chest pains and is now being treated with antibiotics.