Although his side recorded vital derby wins against Bochum (DFB cup) and Dortmund (Bundesliga matchday 7), there is one issue nagging at Magath.
Not focused enough?
"In training it seemed to me as if the team is happy with itself after winning in Dortmund. To me it feels as if they are too satisfied."
"Hopefully all players will hit the switch and perform at their best right from the beginning against Frankfurt," the 56-year-old says and warns: "Frankfurt is a lot stronger than last year and an extremely dangerous opponent. They've delivered their best matches away from home."
Bordon and Kuranyi both fit
Magath will welcome back two key players for the match against a club he coached from 1999 until 2001. Defender Marcelo Bordon has recovered from a knee injury and striker Kevin Kuranyi overcame a cold.
They will probably cross paths with a former Schalke player, as Zlatan Bajramovic has become a regular in Frankfurt's squad lately. The Bosnian midfielder had a three year spell at Schalke, so it may very well be an emotional match for him as well.
Amanatidis hope
Frankfurt lost their first Bundesliga match of the current campaign last weekend when they went down 3-0 at home against VfB Stuttgart. "We lacked everything that made us so strong in the weeks before. But against Schalke we will play differently in terms of tactics, like we always do in away matches." One player that is key in this system surely is Ioannis Amanatidis. The Greek striker has shaken off some fitness problems and should start tonight.
Possible lineups:
Schalke 04: Neuer - Höwedes, Zambrano, Bordon, Westermann - Rafinha, Moritz, Schmitz, Kenia - Farfan, Altintop
Eintracht Frankfurt: Nikolov - Ochs, Chris, Franz, Spycher - Steinhöfer, Schwegler, Köhler - Teber - Meier, Amanatidis
