15.06.2020
Bundesliga

Schalke preview: “We want nine points from three games”

Free from the fear of relegation, Eintracht have the chance to release the handbrake against a Schalke side who have been out of sorts for quite some time.

Following their impressive display at Hertha Berlin, Adi Hütter’s side are hoping to keep alive their slim hopes of a top-seven finish when they welcome FC Schalke 04 to the Commerzbank-Arena on Wednesday evening. “Seventh place might still be doable,” sporting director Bruno Hübner said ahead of the Matchday 32 clash. “It’s going to be very difficult, though. We want to do the best we can and win our last three games of the season.”

Schalke, who like Eintracht have secured their top-flight status, have endured a disappointing second half to the season and are without a win in a club-record 13 league matches. The Gelsenkirchen-based side will hope to register their first victory since Matchday 18 at the Commerzbank-Arena, but the Eagles are intent on leapfrogging S04 into the top half of the table. “We want to finish the season among the top ten,” said Dominik Kohr, while Jonathan de Guzman has demanded that Eintracht end the campaign with “nine points from three games”.

Silva in prolific form

One of the main reasons behind the Eagles’ steady rise up the table is the form of André Silva, who is currently riding the crest of a wave with six goals and an assist since the restart. “I’m getting better and better, both mentally and physically,” said the 24-year-old ahead of the game against the Royal Blues. “I’m working hard every day.”

Indeed, the Portuguese has scored as many goals in the second half of the season as Schalke’s entire team. That said, their positive performance in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with fourth-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen suggests S04 should not be underestimated.

Match info

Kick-off: Wednesday 17 June, 18:30 CEST, Bundesliga 2019/20, Matchday 32.
Stadium: Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt.