Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke - Rebounding Schalke confident ahead of derby test

Posted Friday, October 28, 2016 by PA

Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl is confident that his side can continue their good form and take something from their derby clash at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Schalke have won five of their past six games in all competitions to put a poor start to the season behind them.

The trip to Dortmund is set to fully test their improved form, but with the hosts enduring a blip of their own Weinzierl is in a bullish mood ahead of the 149th Revierderby.

"My team are burning for this game and we're in good form," Weinzierl told a press conference.

"We're going to Dortmund to get something, hopefully a win."

Schalke held their final training session on Friday in front of a large crowd of fans, with Weinzierl keen for his players to "find out what this game means".

Despite their form the visitors are only a point above the relegation play-off place with Dortmund eight points clear of them in sixth.

Thomas Tuchel's side are, however, on a three-game winless streak in the league and had to come from 3-1 down against lowly Ingolstadt last weekend to claim a point.

Tuchel has managed Dortmund in a Ruhr derby twice before but he feels this time around it will be more intense.

"Last year I said the derby felt like a cup semi-final, but now I would say it is like a cup final," he said at a press conference.

"I think this is the mother of all derbies in Germany and I feel it is a huge gift to be allowed to be part of it.

"We must all give everything - that's our duty. We only get this chance because it will only come around again in a year, and you've got to live with the result of this game for the entire season.

"It's like a knockout game. Nobody wants to make that one mistake more than their opponents."

Tuchel has injury concerns to contend with, most notably star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who is struggling with a calf problem.

"It's going to be extremely tight," Tuchel said.

"He had no chance of training on Thursday and could only jog.

"If he can train today, then he can play tomorrow. Maybe we will make an exception with him and test tomorrow whether he can play."

Midfielder Leon Goretzka and forward Franco Di Santo are Weinzierl's only doubts.