Schalke coach Weinzierl: 'We're not yet where we want to be'
Things are suddenly looking rosy in Gelsenkirchen. Only two teams in the Bundesliga have taken more points than FC Schalke 04’s 11 from the last five games, while the Royal Blues have also reached the last 16 of the DFB Cup and the UEFA Europa League round of 32.
Markus Weinzierl on…
The talk of crisis after five consecutive Bundesliga defeats to start the season has given way to the bullish aim of closing in on the European spots by the winter break. Mastermind of the recent revival, Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl spoke to his club’s official website about Die Knappen’s upturn in fortunes in recent weeks…
…Schalke’s slow start to the season:
"Of course it wasn’t pleasant, but in hindsight it might even have helped a little bit. We learned a lot from the tough defeats and are already doing a lot of things far better than we were. The team has come on leaps and bounds, although needs to keep developing so that we can reach our targets."
…the tactical shift from 4-2-3-1 to 3-5-2:
"The task of the coaching staff is to find a system in which the team can work best. In the current system our players have the best chance to do well, whether that’s at the back or going forward. So to that end, the tactical shift was an important step."
…the international break:
"It is what it is and so we won’t waste time thinking about it. I’m just hoping that all the players come back fit so that we can carry on against Wolfsburg [on Matchday 11] where we left off before the break."
Click here to head to the Match Centre for more on Schalke's trip to Wolfsburg
Watch: A tale of Royal Blue love:
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