Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04 preview - Keller issues rallying cry - 7M sport

Hoffenheim vs Schalke 04 preview - Keller issues rallying cry



Posted Friday, October 03, 2014 by PA

Schalke coach Jen Keller wants one last push from his team before the two-week break for internationals when they travel to unbeaten Hoffenheim.

Having won their last two games in the Bundesliga, some of the storm clouds starting to surround Gelsenkirchen have been distanced, but without another three points on Saturday, there remains the prospect of a gloomy fortnight ahead.

"We need to get everything out of us one more time," said Keller on his club's website.

"After that, we will have two weeks to recharge the batteries."

Those batteries were beginning to look a touch on the empty side during a 1-1 draw with Maribor in midweek, and that game may have personnel consequences.

"We'll have to wait and see with Klaas-Jan (Huntelaar) and Max (Meyer) how they look after training on Friday," Keller said. "We hope they are both fit enough to come to Hoffenheim and we're presuming everything will be positive."

Keller can at least welcome Julian Draxler back after a two-game Bundesliga ban, but Sidney Sam is still out.

Hoffenheim have yet to be beaten this season and, in the absence of European football, and considering they were last in action last Friday, they have had plenty of time to prepare for the visit of Schalke to the Rhein-Neckar Arena.

That is not necessarily an advantage, though, according to their coach Markus Gisdol.

"Schalke have gained a bit of a rhythm with two midweek matches in a row," he said.

"That may mean they are not 100% and we've got to be ready to take advantage of that, but we really don't know what we're going to be up against.

"Things go from one extreme to the other at Schalke and the only peace and quiet they ever get there are on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Former Schalke forward Adam Szalai comes up against the club he scored seven times for last season, admitting he is "not yet truly happy" with his current form.

Netting against his ex-club on Saturday would remedy that.



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