"How happy are you that Raúl is no longer playing? He really gave Werder problems in the last couple matches," asked a journalist at Thursday afternoon's official press conference ahead of Werder Bremen's Bundesliga match against Schalke 04...
"How happy are you that Raúl is no longer playing? He really gave Werder problems in the last couple matches," asked a journalist at Thursday afternoon's official press conference ahead of Werder Bremen's Bundesliga match against Schalke 04...
"How happy are you that Raúl is no longer playing? He really gave Werder problems in the last couple matches," asked a journalist at Thursday afternoon's official press conference ahead of Werder Bremen's Bundesliga match against Schalke 04. The question was aimed at Klaus Allofs, and the Werder manager answered so: "Instead of Raúl, they have another guy. Schalke are not any weaker." Many fans had hoped just that half a year ago when the Spanish superstar left the club. Nobody expected Schalke to be this strong, but they certainly are - thanks to Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Schalke 04 remain successful in all three competitions - Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League - and are looking forward to a strong future. The Royal Blues welcome Werder Bremen to Gelsenkirchen on the 11th game day.
In addition to Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, FC Schalke 04 must also be included in the grouping of top teams this fall. The Royal Blues are second in the Bundesliga, reached the third round of the German DFB Cup and came back from a 2-0 deficit to Arsenal in the Champions League to gain a 2-2 draw. And now Schalke are nearing a deserved spot in the Final 16 of the Champions League.

Passed character test in London
Now Schalke will welcome Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday 10 November 2012 at 3:30 p.m. Werder head coach Thomas Schaaf showed his respect of Schalke in the pre-game press conference. "They are playing their game, stand unity and compact and are individually very good. There is a very high quality on their roster, which you can see with their successful season thus far," said Schaaf.
Huub Stevens' Schalke team last lost against Werder in May 2010 when Bremen won 2-0 in Gelsenkirchen. Since then, the Green-Whites have lost 4-0 and 5-0 at Veltins Arena. And the Royal Blues won the last game in Bremen 3-2 in May 2012, which ended any hopes for Werder qualifying for international play last season. It's definitely about time for a Bremen victory against Schalke.
