Schröder: The fans are in our starting

55,152 cards had sold Schalke last against Hannover 96, 54,526 were in the first round against Dynamo Dresden, in both cases the audience wore the royal blue to victory (2: 1, 3: 0). On Saturday against the 1st FC Heidenheim (1:30 pm, live! At Hannover) the Gelsenkirchener still put a on it. 55,000 tickets have already been sold now, some will follow at the box office. The guest block, however, is only being manageable: about 6000 cards are the Heidenimern, use the FCH supporters so far only conditioned.

• Palsson falls out - Zalazar returns back
• Five duels against climbing competitors

Nevertheless, the game on Saturday will take place in front of a season recordscale, which is likely to be addressed again in the last two home games against Werder Bremen (April 23) and FC St. Pauli (7 May). Lastly, nearly 60,000 spectators, just 58,324, came to Corona on March 7, 2020 against the TSG Hoffenheim (1: 1), a 6 in the first place was last on February 22, 2020, then cashed Schalke before 61,433 spectators a 0: 5 Clatter.

The backdrop can be an important factor in the season end spurt for the relegated. "This is a great force that developed," says sport director Rouven Schröder, who does not want to call the fans classically as a "twelfth man": "With us they stand in the starting eleven."

Palsson falls out - Zalazar returns back

Viktor Palsson will not be enjoyed on Saturday to run in front of the record - the defensive midfielder has been positively tested on Covid-19. Conceivable is the double sect Florian Flick / Ko Itura. At least in question is the use of Thomas Ouwejan (calf problems), in his place Kerim Calhanoglu could run on the left-back position.

Back is Rodrigo Zalazar, who had failed at 2: 1 in Dresden because of a footprell. He could stand directly in the starting and suppress Captain Danny Latza on the bench.

Five duels against climbing competitors

Six season games are still standing out, five of them denies Schalke against direct climbing competitors. On this weekend, the royal blue could not only climb a rise place for the first time this season, but may even advance on 1th place. Pressure does not produce this in the Gelsenkirchernern, insured transitional trainer Mike Büskens: "About four weeks ago, we were still six points behind the relation rank, because the pressure was at least as big as now."