“Nothing is guaranteed”

When you play the current bottom-placed team at home, the external expectations are pretty clear. In the minds of some reporters or fans, the three points are already in the bag for VfB in the match against Schalke 04 on Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET). However, head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo has a different outlook on the encounter with the Royal Blues.

“Nothing is guaranteed in the Bundesliga,” said the 43-year-old in his pre-match press conference. “It certainly won’t be an easy game. Schalke are unpredictable to a degree. In terms of individual quality, they’re a team who are better than their current position in the table. We need to reach for our best performance and give everything.”

On the injury front, Erik Thommy is out with a groin strain, while Tanguy Coulibaly is doubtful after taking a knock to the knee. Darko Churlinov is back in full training wearing a mask following his nasal fracture, and Nicolas Gonzalez will continue his rehabilitation programme in Stuttgart from Monday having initially been treated in Argentina. The latest update is that his recovery is going to plan, according to Matarazzo. Lilian Egloff (swelling), meanwhile, still needs more time until he can join his teammates on the field.