A Bundesliga return to the Veltins-Arena

Gladbach travel to Schalke, who are set play their first home game back in top flight football.

Schalke

10-man Schalke suffered a 3-1 defeat against Köln in their opening contest, as Dominick Drexler was sent off in just the 35th minute. Marius Bülter, their lone goal-scorer of the game, should start in the suspended Drexler’s place.
2. Bundesliga goal-scoring legend Simon Terrode was only fit enough to come off the bench last weekend and could pair with Sebastian Polter up top. Newcomer Jordan Larsson should be available off the bench for head coach Frank Kramer.

A league-high seven newcomers started for Schalke against Köln, including veteran Maya Yoshida at the back. The Japanese legend will have his hands full in trying to stop a Gladbach attack that showed improvement against Hoffenheim on Matchday 1.

Team News

Schalke are fairly injury-free, but Drexler is suspended after his red card against Köln.

Gladbach

Gladbach were victorious against another 10-man team in Hoffenheim last weekend, including a ridiculous goal from defender Ramy Bensebaini. He’ll join another scorer in Nico Elvedi, who will make his 200th Bundesliga appearance at the back.

Alassane Plea (2 assists vs. Hoffenheim) and Jonas Hofmann are fresh off their respective contract renewals, but Gladbach are still active on the transfer market due to questions surrounding the future of forward Marcus Thuram. New trainer Daniel Farke will likely use a similar 4-2-3-1 formation that did the trick on Matchday 1.

The atmosphere in Schalke’s Bundesliga return to the Veltins-Arena will undoubtedly be rocking Saturday evening in a battle amongst new Bundesliga trainers. Farke added that, “We’re looking forward to the game after our good start. Schalke are a bedrock of the Bundesliga and belong in this division. It will be an emotional game so a cool head will be needed.”

Team News

Torben Müsel and Lars Stindl are unavailable, while Ko Itakura could start against his former club. Stindl suffered an injury in the first round of the DFB-Pokal and center-back Marvin Friedrich is questionable for the starting lineup.