Schreuder: "We could move up to sixth place"

Alfred Schreuder on…

…FC Schalke 04: "They're still in sixth place. Schalke have a lot of injured players, so the current situation is difficult for David Wagner. Given all the changes, it's understandable that things aren't going quite so well. They've always played with the back four in the past but they opted for a back five against Bayern Munich. They did it very well too. I will prepare the team to face two formations. Ultimately, it is down to us. We need to focus on our own game and reproduce the same courage and discipline we showed in the Gladbach game – then we'll have a chance. I'm operating under the assumption that Schalke will play on the counter a lot."

…the personnel situation: "The three strikers Sargis Adamyan, Ishak Belfodil and Munas Dabbur are out. Otherwise, all the lads are fit. One or two players are still carrying niggles but I'm expecting that they'll be fit."

…the team's development: "We had a major upheaval in the summer with a lot of young new arrivals. If we win away to Schalke, we could move up to sixth place in the table. We're still very much in the mix. A positive development has been noticeable in terms of our play. I'm satisfied but it could still get a lot better."

…the match against Bayern Munich: "In terms of the game itself, we've quickly put it behind us. In the form that Bayern are currently in, they're one of the best teams in Europe and the best team in the Bundesliga. We only have a chance against them when they're having a bad day and we play very well. That wasn't the case on Saturday. 6-0 is obviously too much, but you also have to applaud FC Bayern Munich.  They're a major exception in the league."

The social media question of the week:

What's your favourite type of training?

"We like playing three on two attacking one goal. The drill is fast-paced and the players have to make decisions quickly. That's very interesting and fun for the lads."

The opposition's form:

Schalke have taken three points from their last six Bundesliga matches and scored only one goal in the process. Coach David Wagner's charges also lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the DFB Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Head-to-head record:

TSG have the marginally better overall head-to-head record (W9 D6 L8) thanks to their 2-0 victory in the previous meeting this season. Last term, Hoffenheim thrashed the Royal Blues 5-2 in this fixture.

Match facts and statistics »