Schalke´s Keller wants knock-on effect

Schalke coach Jens Keller is hopeful his side can build on an impressive midweek Champions League showing against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Schalke coach Jens Keller is hopeful his side can build on an impressive midweek Champions League showing against Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Keller’s men host Fortuna in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday, just three days after claiming a 1-1 draw in Istanbul against Galatasaray.

That result gives them every chance of moving into the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition, particularly with an all-important away goal in the bag.

And Keller – who liked what he saw from his team in the Turkish capital – wants to see more of the same thing.

“I hope we take the momentum from the Champions League into the game against Fortuna,” Keller said.

“Galatasaray did press well but I think that we absolutely dominated the match, we had more ball possession. (Fortuna) Dusseldorf will defend deeper than Galatasaray, but we will find ways to get through.”

Keller added that he was not getting carried away with the result in Turkey and that the club need to continue to improve against what is sure to be a determined Fortuna side.

“I wasn’t depressed going into the (Galatasaray) game and I wasn’t euphoric afterwards. We know we need to keep working,” he said.

“We took two important steps in Mainz (Schalke came from behind twice to draw 2-2) and Galatasaray, but we need to progress from there, we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“I expect them (Dusseldorf) to play aggressively and fight for every ball. We are aware they’ve picked up some points in the league so far and we know it won’t be easy.”

Schalke sit ninth on the Bundesliga table, although they are just four points away from fifth position.