Bundesliga club Schalke 04 will have to do without defender Cedric Brunner in a duel with direct relegation competitor VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. The 29-year-old right-back from Switzerland broke his nose in the 0-0 draw at Union Berlin.
The reported sports director Peter Knäbel. “Fortunately we now have enough alternatives in the squad,” said Knäbel in view of the six winter additions that the bottom of the table had signed on loan.
Knäbel sees his transfer policy in winter confirmed in view of four games without defeat and without conceding a goal. However, since Schalke did not score a goal or win either, Knäbel sees the promoted team under pressure on Saturday (6.30 p.m.). “We have to make the breakthrough now. Everyone is waiting for the initial spark,” said Knäbel, who, given the importance of the game, also spoke to the team in the afternoon before training to get them in the mood for the game. (dpa)