Schalke 04 faces a daunting Bundesliga match against Bayern Munich after a clear 0:3 defeat to FC Augsburg. The Saturday evening clash at 18:30, live on Sky, presents a massive challenge for a defensively fragile team, as reported by Bild.
How weak was the Schalke defense?
Schalke's defense showed significant gaps against Augsburg. FC Augsburg managed 24 shots on goal, with goalkeeper Loris Karius making nine saves. The 33-year-old keeper was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal team performance. Coach Miron Muslic demanded "a good structure against the ball" after the match. This structure was nowhere to be seen in Augsburg. Upcoming matches on the fixtures list will be hard to manage without a marked improvement.
Which players need to step up against Bayern?
Some players in the Schalke squad possess physical attributes that could be useful against FC Bayern. The speed of midfielder Anton Kade is particularly notable. The 22-year-old reaches a top speed of 33.92 km/h. Centre-backs Hasan Kurucay (30.34 km/h) and Nikola Katic (29.41 km/h) are also fast. Ron Schallenberg reaches 27.94 km/h. These values must translate into better collective defensive behavior. The current squad overview shows the existing potential.
What did the expert say about the performance?
Youri Mulder, the 57-year-old analyst, pinpointed Schalke 04's problems. "Wir sind keine Mannschaft, die hinten," he said, alluding to the lack of defensive solidity. This analysis hits the core of the current crisis. The team of 43-year-old coach Muslic looks disorganized in front of its own goal. Eliminating this weakness against an offensive giant like Bayern Munich within a few days appears a Herculean task.
What does this mean for the Bayern match?
The starting position for Saturday's top match could hardly be more difficult for Schalke 04. The clear defeat in Augsburg exposed the lack of defensive confidence. Against a competitor like Bayern Munich, which ruthlessly exploits such weaknesses, a debacle is looming. The team must manage a complete defensive reset during the week. The standings also show how crucial every single result is in the relegation battle. Another setback against the record champions could burden the season early on.
