Keller demands Schalke´s UCL form in Bundesliga

Schalke head coach Jens Keller has urged his team to kick-start their Bundesliga season in front of their own fans on Saturday against Augsburg.

Keller’s side have been struggling for consistency in the league so far this term, winning just two of seven games to be dwindling in 14th – a far cry from their fourth-place finish last season that earned them a UEFA Champions League spot.

While they have fired on all cylinders to be top of Group E in the illustrious European competition with two wins and clean sheets in both their matches so far, Schalke are struggling domestically – just three points above the drop zone.

Keller, 42, said he wants his team to put on a positive performance in front of their Veltins-Arena faithful.

“Obviously we will give our very best to win this game tomorrow – here at home in our stadium,” Keller said.

“For us it is important to get points and so we will start with three points against Augsburg tomorrow.”

Speaking on Friday, Keller said he would honour Augsburg’s hard-working mentality ahead of the eighth-placed side’s visit to Schalke.

“I know… a lot about Augsburg,” Keller said.

“Of course we will talk about their strengths and weaknesses with the whole team.

“But that’s what we do ahead of every match in the Bundesliga.

“Augsburg are working hard as an unit – and they always go to their limit.

“So we will need a really good performance to win.”

Midfielder Marco Höger said Schalke’s domestic output was unacceptable.

“We’re aware we have to raise our game in the Bundesliga,” Höger said.

“Eight points from seven games isn’t good enough for us.

“We played well for the whole 90 minutes against Basel (in the Champions League).

“We have to do the same against Augsburg.”

Schalke will be minus injured winger Jefferson Farfan (groin) for Saturday’s encounter, while Christian Fuchs and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (both knee) remain unavailable.

For Augsburg, Turkish striker Halil Altintop – who played with Schalke from 2006-2010 – is preparing to tackle his old side.