Schalke 04 had a rough start in their 2014-15 campaign, losing to 3. Liga side Dynamo Dresden in the DFB-Pokal and then again to Hannover 96 in their Bundesliga opener last week. Jens Keller's squad will hope to bounce back and get their young season back on track, but they'll have to do so against the mighty Bayern Munich. They're dealing with a miniature injury crisis but seem to be doing okay, as teams of their class are wont to do.
Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Bayern started their own season by honoring their many, many World Cup champions in a pre-match ceremony before dispatching of VfL Wolfsburg in a professional 2-1 victory. Schalke will be desperate to turn their fortunes around, but a match that many pegged as an early test for the defending champions now looks a bit more like a formality.
Key Player: Robert Lewandowski
The former Dortmund striker scored five goals in the preseason, seemingly all of them worthy of the highlight reel, but missed a penalty in Bayern’s win over Preussen Muenster in the first round of the DFB-Pokal and had one called back for offside against VfL Wolfsburg last week. He’ll be looking to open his Bundesliga account against a Schalke side that has looked shaky in the back to open the season.
Key Matchup: Arjen Robben vs. Christian Fuchs
A reported transfer target for several Premier League teams this summer, left back Christian Fuchs found himself pressed into service following the early injury to Sead Kolasinac last week, and now has the daunting task of shutting down containing keeping track of one of the best right wingers in the world. Everybody knows the book on Robben -- he’ll cut inside and strike with his deadly left foot - but few are able to keep him from executing his plan. There’s no doubt he’ll have plenty of opportunity on Saturday, and Fuchs will need to prove he’s equal to the task.
Schalke 04 injuries and suspensions
Out: Sead Kolasinac (knee), Jefferson Farfan (knee), Atsuto Uchida (knee), Fabian Giefer (groin)
Bayern Munich injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Thiago Alcantara (knee), Javi Martínez (knee), Rafinha (ankle), Franck Ribéry (knee). In doubt: Mehdi Benatia (just signed)
Schalke received bad news this week when it was revealed that left back Sead Kolasinac’s injury sustained in the loss to Hannover was an ACL tear. He will be replaced by Fuchs.
Bayern continue to be without a host of midfielders (and Rafinha), with Schweinsteiger, Thiago, Rafinha, and Ribéry all multiple weeks away from potential returns. Martinez is out for the season. New signing Mehdi Benatia could make his debut, but his status is still very much in doubt. Jérôme Boateng will return from suspension.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. local, 12:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
TV: GOLTV (USA/Canada), BT Sport 1 (UK)
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