Heynckes fears tough Schalke

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has warned his team Saturday’s clash against Schalke will be their toughest test so far this season.

Bayern complemented this season’s 100 per cent domestic record with a 2-1 Champions League victory at home to Valencia in midweek, with Toni Kroos particularly excelling during the game.

Meanwhile, the Royal Blues kicked off their own Champions League campaign with a 2-1 away win at Olympiakos and have seven points from a possible nine in the Bundesliga.

This has caused the 67-year-old Bayern trainer to declare their clash as ‘the toughest task we’ve undertaken so far’.

However, although the Bayern coach has talked up the match, he fully expects his side to claim the three points in Gelsenkirchen and continue their great start to the season.

“We’re nicely in the groove, as they say,” he told a press conference.

“I’m confident we’ll keep up the good work on Saturday. We were authoritative and imposed ourselves on the game against Valencia. We want to do it again on Saturday.”

There is some cause for concern, though, as Franck Ribery is still in doubt with the French international still not completely recovered from a strain that he picked up against Valencia.

Whether the talented winger makes the game or not, former Schalke keeper and current Bayern number one, Manuel Neuer, has also paid testament to the quality of his old club.

“It’s a clash between equals. Taking all three points will be very difficult,” he said.

And for Schalke, the team news is rather mixed. Rafinha returns to the squad for the first time this season, although the Ruhr club may be without Jermaine Jones and Klass-Jan Huntelaar who both picked up injuries in their European clash during the week.