FC Schalke 04

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Schalke Won't Take Nikosia Lightly

Schalke chief Andreas Müller has called on his team to get over the dejection of getting trashed by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League qualifier by making short work of APOEL Nikosia in the next round of the Uefa Cup.

"We wanted to be in the Champions League but didn't achieve this objective," said the ex Germany international. "Now, I expect from the the team that they make a good run in the Uefa Cup.

Schalke trainer Fred Rutten insists that their next opponents will be by no means a walkover, despite the fact that they are not exactly a big name in European football.

"Nikosia overcame a very strong opponent in Red Star Belgrade in the qualifications so we will certainly not take them lightly," he assured. "Belgrad is a really tough place to play, and you have to tip your hat to anyone that gets a result from there."

VfB skipper Marcelo Bordon is also intent on a strong showing in the next round of the Uefa Cup in order to put the huge disappointment of getting hammered in Madrid as far behind them as possible.

He said: "It's up to us to salvage our pride in Europe and treat this like a new beginning. We have to get past Nikosia at all costs."

Goal.com - Schalke - Schalke Won't Take Nikosia Lightly

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Schalke 1 - 0 Bochum

36' [1 - 0] H. Westermann

After being dumped out of the Champions League in midweek, Schalke bounced back to beat VfL Bochum in the "lesser" Ruhr derby, and go top of the Bundesliga in the process.

A sell-out 61,673 crowd in Gelsenkirchen saw the home side bag a 1-0 victory thanks to Heiko Westermann's 36th-minute header. The cross was provided by Rafinha, playing for the first time since returning from his controversial participation in the Beijing Olympic tournament.

Schalke now head the league on seven points, while Bochum slip into the bottom three with just one point to their name. To compound their misery, defender Christian Fuchs was sent off in the last minute following his second booking.

Slow start by Schalke

It was clear at the outset that the "Royal Blues" were still nursing a Champions League hangover. Despite being the stronger of the two sides and creating the better chances much of their play was sluggish, particularly up front.

Bochum were thus able to hold their own for long stretches of the match, but were seldom able to make an impression up front.

With Jermaine Jones and goalscorer Westermann doing solid work in midfield, Schalke remained the more likely of the sides to score again, and twice came very close in the second half - Gerald Asamoah hitting the bar (66.) and Kevin Kuranyi the post (87.).

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Rutten: We Showed Great Character

Following on from their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid, Schalke responded well with a 1-0 win over Bochum in the Ruhr-derby.

A solitary goal from Heiko Westermann proved enough to seal all three points for the Königsblauen and left trainer Fred Rutten proud of his team.

“It wasn’t a great game, but the character we showed was good” he said.

“In the first half Bochum put our defence under a lot of pressure, but didn’t have any clear-cut opportunities.

“We were well organised and scored a very good goal. If we had scored a second goal, it would have been a bit smoother. But the boys kept their cool and showed what character they have” he added.

Bochum trainer Marcel Koller was pleased with the first half performance and has to now look to the next game to get their season up and running.

“We played well in the first half but were a little hurried in attack. Then the supporters began to whistle and in this phase of the game their goal arrived from a counter.

“After that we just couldn’t get put any pressure or danger on the Schalke goal. They were very dangerous at set-pieces.

“We now have only one point and we are unhappy about that.”

Goal.com - Schalke - Rutten: We Showed Great Character

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Schalke defender injured

FC Schalke 04's Benedikt Höwedes had to pull out of the German Under-21s EURO qualifier against Northern Ireland on Friday, September 5.

The central defender has ankle problems since playing in Schalke's 1-0 win over VfL Bochum at the weekend.

He still hopes to be involved when Dieter Eilts' team take on Israel on Tuesday, September 9, however.

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Good news for Rutten

Eleven Schalke 04 players are away on international duty, but still Fred Rutten could welcome 16 players on the training ground on Thursday. Among them: new signings Jefferson Farfan and Orlando Engelaar.

Injuries have prevented the duo from making their Bundesliga debut to date, but Farfan is almost certain to be available for the Ruhr derby at Borussia Dortmund. "No way I want to miss that match!"

Engelaar was in good shape, too, but he had to cut short the session to receive more individual treatment in the rehab centre.

Ernst down with flu

Manuel Neuer was doing an individual session with goalkeeping coach Oliver Reck and stamina and rehab coach Elliot Paes Alves Junior. The goalkeeper is on the road to recovery from a broken metatarsal.

One player was a surprise absentee, however. "Fabian Ernst is down with flu, but it's nothing serious", coach Rutten explained.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Rutten Puts Ruhr Derby In Perspective

New Schalke boss Fred Rutten knows all too well how important the Ruhr Derby against Borussia Dortmund is to the club, but stressed that the season is long and hard and this can't be treated like the be all and end all of games.

Having taken over from FC Twente in the summer, Rutten has enjoyed a very encouraging start to his Schalke career - at least in terms of the Bundesliga - as they are perched on top of the German first division with seven points from their first three games.

When asked about his feelings of his first match against arch rivals Dortmund, Rutten said: "Yes, I know what it's all about. This is one of the most important games in Germany.

"That said, this will be our fourth game of the season and there's 30 more to follow.

"For me the derby is important as well, but we won't have won this championship irrespective if were losers or victors this weekend."

When pressed on what they need to do to make sure that they're the ones smiling in the end, Rutten responded: We have to try to play our game. If we play to our strengths, I'm sure we can get a good result over there."

Borussia Dortmund play host to Schalke at 15.30 local time on Saturday.

Goal.com - Schalke - Rutten Puts Ruhr Derby In Perspective

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"One of the most important matches"

Schalke 04 will travel to Borussia Dortmund on matchday 4. bundesliga.de talked to coach Fred Rutten ahead of the Ruhr derby.

bundesliga.de: Schalke take on Borussia Dortmund at the weekend. Do you already feel the derby fever?

Fred Rutten: Yes, it's already an issue on the training ground for weeks, and it's even more present among the fans.

bundesliga.de: Are you aware of the special meaning this match has for the fans?

Rutten: Yes, I'm aware of that. This is one of the most important matches in the Bundesliga. Still it's only our fourth match of the season, with 30 more to follow. The derby is important for me, but we won't win or lose the championship in this match. But this match is of special importance to the fans, of course.

bundesliga.de: Why will Schalke be successful in Dortmund?

Rutten: Both teams are up to scratch. We do have the quality to win such an away game and we will do everything to bag three points in Dortmund.

bundesliga.de: Dortmund have made a good start to the season. What strengths does your team need to be aware of?

Rutten: Dortmund really have a good togetherness, they're a unit on the pitch. They fight hard, are well organised and limit their opponents to few chances. Dortmund can beat any team.

bundesliga.de: What will Schalke do to avoid that?

Rutten: We must try to force our game through. If we manage to show our strengths we should be able to get a result there.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Höwedes fit again

After the match against VfL Bochum, Benedikt Höwedes picked up the phone.

Because of sore leg issues, the 20-year old Schalke defender withdrew from the U-21 match against Northern Ireland on Friday. Now, he is feeling fit again.

"I'm very happy to play for Germany"

"I can be cared for very well here at Schalke and could train with the crew on Friday. I would also like to play next Tuesday's match for Germany against Israel," stressed Höwedes, who has been selected six times for Dieter Eilts' international squad.

Missing both games is not an option. "I'm very happy to play for Germany and do not want to leave the U-21 squad."

Participation in international games gives Höwedes great exposure and could correlate to more playing time with the "Royal Blues."

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Very bad news for Schalke. Their no.2 goalkeeper Schober is injured aswell.

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Originally Posted by Trim

Very bad news for Schalke. Their no.2 goalkeeper Schober is injured aswell.

what about neuer is he recoverd from his injury!?

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Keeper Crisis For Schalke

Schalke have been dealt a major blow ahead of the hotly anticipated Ruhr Derby against Borussia Dortmund this weekend with news that they will be taking on their arch rivals without their two most reliable keepers.

An injury to Mathias Schober has compounded the fact that first choice keeper Manuel Neuer is still sidelined, and has left coach Fred Rutten with a serious headache ahead of their short trip to Dortmund.

"I didn't have a great night's rest," admitted the Dutch manager, while confirming that Schober tore a calf muscle in training.

Usual starter Neuer snapped his metatarsal in pre-season but there is a hope that he could make it back just in time for derby day.

"Even two weeks ago, long before Schober's injury, we were contemplating bringing Neuer back into full training.

"In any case we have four genuinely good shotstoppers at Schalke. I have faith in the ability of Ralf Fährmann and Mohamed Amsif as well," Rutten concluded.

Goal.com - Schalke - Keeper Crisis For Schalke

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Schalke Receive Farfan Boost Ahead Of Derby

Jefferson Farfan is ready to make his Bundesliga debut at just the right time from a Schalke perspective, with the hotly anticipated clash against regional rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

The Peruvian, who was Schalke’s record signing this summer, injured his shoulder during a Champions League qualifier in mid August and has not featured since. However, it looks very much like he has won his race against fitness ahead of the Ruhr Derby, much to the delight of the Royal Blues faithful.

"He can play," confirmed Schalke boss Fred Rutten, who has led his team to top of the Bundesliga standings with seven points to show from their first three games.

Fellow summer arriver Orlando Engelaar had also injured his right knee during the first-leg against Atletico Madrid, and believes he is 90% recovered.

"That's not enough for a game like Dortmund away," he stressed to the club's official website, however.

"The next few days will show whether I'll be fully fit on Saturday. I'm still experiencing problems, though, especially when I shoot."

Goal.com - Schalke - Schalke Receive Farfan Boost Ahead Of Derby

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Bundesliga 2008/09, Matchday 4 (PREVIEW):
Borussia Dortmund – Schalke

The first Revier-derby of the season takes place on Saturday with Borussia Dortmund hosting arch-rivals Schalke at the Signal-Iduna Park. 80,000 fans are sure to pack out the stadium and create an electric atmosphere for the arrival of the Königsblauen.

Dortmund fans were hoping for a positive change under new trainer Jürgen Klopp and they can certainly be happy with the start they have made. Wins over Cottbus and Bayer Leverkusen coupled with a creditable draw with Bayern has seen BVB take seven points from a possible nine.

Despite a slight injury, Florian Kringe should be fit to play, while Alexander Frei will be fighting with Mohamed Zidan for the chance to start up front alongside Valdez.

Schalke too have made an impressive start to the new campaign, the only blight of which has been their Champions League elimination against Atletico Madrid. They too have taken seven points from nine so this weekend’s game has extra spice in terms of potentially going top of the table.

Fred Rutten may opt to rest Rafinha as he will only return from Brazil on Friday. That means Westermann would switch to right back with either Höwedes or Krstajic partnering Bordon in the centre. Orlando Engelaar is still a little off his return, so Levan Kobiashvili will continue to deputise.

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Schalke Rely On Teen Keeper

Talk about getting thrown into the deep-end. Schalke's current keeper crisis means that 19-year-old shotstopper Ralf Fährman will be making his first competitive appearance for the club against fierce local rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Schalke were dealt a major blow ahead of the hotly anticipated Ruhr Derby this weekend with news that they will be taking on their arch rivals without their two most reliable keepers.
An injury to Mathias Schober has compounded the fact that first choice keeper Manuel Neuer is still sidelined, and has left coach Fred Rutten with little other choice but to debut a keeper who is on the fringes of Germany's Under-21s team.

Credit to Fährmann, he has not shown any sign of nerves and, at least on the surface, appears to be fully embracing the opportunity.

"On the one hand this is not good because I don't want my team-mates to be injured. On the other hand it's something special to play in a derby like this. I have the chance to show what I'm capable of against Dortmund," said the youngster.

"I know this is a very special and important match for our supporters, and I know how excited they are," he adeed. "Everybody wants to win against Dortmund. I think I'm cool enough. I left home in Chemnitz when I was 14 to play football for Schalke. I have a strong and stable personality.

"This is great. I'm ready."

Goal.com - Schalke - Schalke Rely On Teen Keeper

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Dramatic derby day

Nine-man FC Schalke 04 have squandered a three-goal lead and the lead in the Bundesliga standings.

Christian Pander (second bookable offence, 73) and Fabian Ernst (straight red, 76) were sent off as Schalke were pulled back to a 3-3 draw by Ruhr rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Jefferson Farfan (20, pen), Brazilian Rafinha (39) and Heiko Westermann (54) had given Borussia a mountain to climb in the 132nd Ruhr derby.

But the hosts came back through Neven Subotic (67) and Alexander Frei (71/89, pen).

Farfan opener

80,552 fans in the sold out Signal Iduna Park saw the hosts make the better start, with Mohamed Zidan (5) going close.

But it was Schalke who took the lead. Farfan scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal from the penalty spot after Subotic had handled the ball inside the box.

Rafinha doubled Schalke's lead with a shot into the far corner from an acute angle before Westermann headed home from close range to make it 3-0.

Frei brace

Subotic pulled one back with a header from a corner before Frei made it game on with a stunning shot into the top corner from 22 metres.

Schalke lost their nerves (and Pander and Ernst) before Dortmund secured a draw with a late penalty after Mladen Krstajic was adjugded to have handled inside the box.

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