Schalke 04 vs Mainz preview - Schalke look to bounce back

Posted Friday, November 28, 2014 by PA

Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo has told his side they cannot afford to dwell on their midweek Champions League mauling as they look to continue their push for a top-four berth in the Bundesliga against Mainz this weekend.

The Royal Blues were humbled 5-0 at home by Chelsea on Tuesday night and Di Matteo, whose side claimed an impressive domestic victory over Wolfsburg last weekend, has clearly not yet managed to find the desired consistency that also eluded his predecessor Jens Keller.

The Italian is hoping for better on Saturday though, telling a press conference: "We've made two completely contrasting performances over the past few days

"It was a fantastic win against Wolfsburg for us to gain self-confidence, but the Chelsea defeat hurt on the other hand.

"We've got to close the Chelsea chapter right here and focus on the task in hand.

"We've all got to work hard on bringing a bit of continuity to our results, which is what we all want."

Schalke moved up to seventh in the Bundesliga with their 3-2 win over second-placed Wolfsburg, and are just three points off a berth in the top three.

Mainz, meanwhile, are one point behind after failing to win any of their last four games - a run coach Kasper Hjulmand is hoping to end at the Arena AufSchalke.

"We always take to the field to win," he said. "But of course we know that Schalke are a strong side.

"(We) cannot cannot be compared with Chelsea, (but) if we play and fight as a team, then we have a chance.

"Our strength lies in our team spirit."

Former Schalke midfielder Christoph Moritz misses out on a return to his ex-club due to injury while Julian Baumgartlinger also sits the game out through injury.

Kaan Ayhan could return to the Schalke squad after injury and Di Matteo has suggested that he "might make changes" in view of Tuesday's painful defeat.