Schalke 04 goalkeeper Loris Karius views the Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich as a major opportunity to recommend himself for the German national team. The duel on Saturday at 18:30 in Gelsenkirchen will be broadcast live on Sky, as reported by Bild Sport.
Karius, 33, is working on his form under Schalke coach Miron Muslic, 43. His goal is clear. "If I deliver top performances, I might become a candidate," said the keeper. The new national team coach Jürgen Klopp, 59, knows Karius well from their shared years at Liverpool FC, including the 2018 Champions League final appearance.
Why is the match so important for Karius?
The game against the record champions is a special testing ground for Loris Karius. After a strong performance with ten saves in the last match against FC Augsburg, he was named his team's best player by coach Muslic. The goalkeeper now wants to prove this consistency against one of the league's strongest attacks.
Bayern started the season with a 5:1 home win against VfB Stuttgart. Attackers like 33-year-old Harry Kane, 29-year-old Luis Diaz, and 24-year-old talent Michael Olise present an immense challenge. A commanding performance against these players would guaranteed attract the national coach's attention. The current table and all upcoming matches can be found on our standings page.
What does Schalke coach Miron Muslic say?
Miron Muslic refrains from giving advice to the national coach. "The national coach knows exactly what he has to do. I don't need to add my two cents." explained the Schalke head coach. His task is to prepare Karius optimally for the match.
Muslic trusts in his keeper's experience. The shared history with Klopp could be a psychological advantage, but in the end, only the performance on the pitch counts. For Schalke, every match against Bayern is a highlight that challenges the entire team. A detailed look at the FC Bayern squad is available in our squad overview.
What role does the past with Jürgen Klopp play?
The connection between Jürgen Klopp and Loris Karius is a recurring theme. Klopp signed the goalkeeper for Liverpool in 2016 and regularly used him. The final in Kyiv was a low point, but the professional collaboration shaped both.
This past creates a special dynamic. Karius knows the expectations and the coach's style. A strong performance in front of his former mentor would be a perfect calling card. For Klopp, it is an opportunity to observe an experienced player in a high-pressure situation.
How is Schalke preparing for the Bayern attack?
Training preparation focuses on defensive work. After Munich's crushing win against Stuttgart, the danger is clearly recognizable. Schalke must stand compact and minimize mistakes.
The role of Karius as the last man and organizer is central to this. His communication with the back four will help decide success or failure. Statistics on past encounters and goalkeeper performances can be viewed on our stats page. Bayern Munich's next competitive match after this fixture is already scheduled for the following week.
