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Schalke had been on a run of four consecutive Bundesliga defeats before their crucial 1-0 win over Hannover 96 last weekend - only their second league victory of 2019. The Royal Blues head into Saturday’s game against Eintracht in 14th place with 26 points on the board.
Coach
Die Knappen knew exactly who they were getting when they appointed Stevens as coach for a third time last month. The club knows the 65-year-old inside out and vice versa, not least because of their memorable UEFA Cup triumph under Stevens in 1997, which earned the Dutchman legendary status in Gelsenkirchen. Stevens has proved in recent years that he is just as capable of saving teams from relegation as he is at winning trophies, having guided TSG Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart to Bundesliga safety in his last two coaching roles.
One to watch: Alexander Nübel
Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel played a key role in Schalke’s win at the HDI Arena on Matchday 27. The Hannover attackers could not find a way past the 22-year-old custodian, who made several impressive saves to earn his team three crucial points in their battle to avoid the drop. The Germany Under-21 international, who received glowing praise from Stevens following the success in Lower Saxony, has been Schalke’s first-choice goalkeeper since the turn of the year, keeping club captain and former Eintracht shot-stopper Ralf Fährmann out of the side. He has made 13 Bundesliga appearances to date, earning rave reviews for his consistent performances.
