Mainz vs Schalke 04 preview - Schmidt unfazed by Mainz task

Posted Friday, April 24, 2015 by PA

Mainz coach Martin Schmidt insists it is business as usual for him as he takes charge of his first game since becoming the Bundesliga club's official new head coach.

Schmidt was initially only in charge until the end of the season since replacing Kasper Hjulmand in February.

He has now signed a contract until 2018, but says that should have no influence on him and his side ahead of the clash with Schalke on Friday night.

"Work just carries on as normal," he said. "It's another final for us."

Schmidt was nevertheless delighted to have had his appointment made permanent and is looking forward to a successful future as Mainz boss.

"It's a great challenge for me to continue the work of those before me and push on with this club's development," he said.

"The games we have on the horizon were a particular motivation for me because we want to secure our place in the Bundesliga, and it doesn't get more attractive than that."

Mainz head into their clash with the Royal Blues with a seven-point cushion over the bottom three with five games of the season remaining.

Schalke still have an outside chance of making the top four, but defeat would end that hope mathematically and their focus has already shifted to ensuring they do not slip out of the top six.

"We want to secure our place in the Europa League," said their coach Roberto Di Matteo. "We still need a few more points for that."

Di Matteo welcomes back half a dozen players who missed the draw with Wolfsburg last weekend, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Matija Nastasic, Christian Fuchs and Jan Kirchhoff all back on board after injury.

"That's good news for us," added Di Matteo, who also has Marco Hoger back from suspension and could field Julian Draxler from the start.