Keller untroubled by loss to Bayern

Jens Keller says Schalke are heading into the second half of the season on track, despite their 5-0 friendly defeat to Bayern Munich.

Schalke have been based in Qatar during the winter break but conceded four first-half goals against Bayern in a friendly match on Tuesday, prompting sporting director Horst Heldt to demand a dressing-room explanation at half-time.

However, newly appointed coach Keller has been encouraged by the “harmony” his players exhibited at the training camp and does not believe there is cause for concern.

“The training camp has been good, we worked great together,” Keller told reporters.

“There is harmony, but now all the focus is on the Bayern result.

“That does not do our training camp justice. I’m quite relaxed about it and I was clear beforehand about our targets in the Bundesliga.”

Midfielder Roman Neustadter did admit the players were disappointed with themselves after such a heavy loss to their Bundesliga rivals.

“We thought about it a lot and could not put this game aside easily,” he said.

“Many of us slept very little that night after the game (on Tuesday) because we were extremely angered by our performance.”

Goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has highlighted the importance of Schalke beginning the second half of the season with victories in their next two matches against Hannover and Augsburg.

“That must be our last warning shot, we do not have many more opportunities to turn (our season) around,” he said.

“These are two very important games for us, for sure. We do not need to talk about it.”