They missed the 0-0 draw in Gladbach, and captain Danny Latza and defender Marcin Kaminski will not be available to FC Schalke against Wolfsburg on Friday either.
Fellow S04: Marcin Kaminski (L) and Danny Latza.
IMAGO/RHR-Photo
Danny Latza’s story of suffering at Schalke will continue in 2023. Since moving from FSV Mainz 05 to the Royal Blues in the summer of 2021, the captain has been absent again and again, sometimes shorter and sometimes longer, for different reasons. This time, according to the club, it is an inflammation in the knee that is forcing him to step back.
After his early starts against Eintracht Frankfurt (0: 3, kicker grade 4), RB Leipzig (1: 6, kicker grade 5.5) and Cologne (0: 0, kicker grade 3.5), Latza had the zero number in Gladbach missed due to knee problems – Schalke’s new defensive midfielder Eder Balanta made his debut against Borussia as the only six, before that Alex Kral and Tom Krauß did well as a duo of eight. This triangle constellation is now also conceivable on Friday in the home game against VfL Wolfsburg (8.30 p.m., LIVE! at kicker).
Asamoah doesn’t want to rush anything with Latza
In any case, Latza will not be available again, the Royal Blues can already predict that. “We don’t want to rush things with Danny,” said Gerald Asamoah, head of the licensed players department, on Tuesday before morning practice.
The condition of Marcin Kaminski was also discussed. The central defender was still there in the 6-0 victory in the secret test a week ago against regional league relegation candidate SG Wattenscheid 09, but then signed off sick. “Marcin should take it easy this week,” said Asamoah.
Jenz shines as a replacement for Kaminski
There is currently no great need in the back row. Winter signing Moritz Jenz has taken over the position as left central defender from Kaminski and immediately made the defense, including neighbor Maya Yoshida, more stable. With Jenz in central defence, Schalke have now kept two clean sheets in a row. Against Cologne, kicker named him “Player of the Game”, against Gladbach Jenz shone above all with a save against striker Marcus Thuram.
Meanwhile, Sepp van den Berg is making progress. Jenz was also signed because van den Berg’s comeback was still dragging on, but the Dutchman is now back on the pitch. Against Wolfsburg, however, he will not be able to be back in the squad.
