Schalke hope to avoid unwanted league record in Mainz

Schalke will want to avoid an unwanted Bundesliga record at all costs on Wednesday at Mainz where they seek to end a run of 35 straight games away from home without victory, reported dpa.

A 2-1 defeat in Bremen on Saturday saw bottom club Schalke draw level with Karlsruhe who had also not won in 35 matches in a row between March 1976 and February 1981.

Defeat in Mainz would see Schalke winless in 36 top flight games.

Schalke returned into the Bundesliga after one season in the second tier following relegation 2022, and they are in big danger of going down again with just six points from 13 games.

The team has shown improvement in the two games under new coach Thomas Reis but they ended in defeat against Freiburg and Bremen, who were relegated with them last year and also returned immediately into the Bundesliga where they sit in mid-table.

Schalke were a little unlucky Saturday with an early goal from Alex Kral nullified due offside, Simon Terodde denied what would have been a 1-1 equalizer by the post, and Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka making several big saves.

"The team showed that they are capable of playing in the Bundesliga. We deserved a point in my opinion. We will start collecting points in the future if we continue to play like this," Reis insisted.

Kral was also defiant as he insisted that Schalke can take four points from the last two games before the World Cup break in Mainz and at home against 10-times reigning champions Bayern Munich.

Terodde at least hopes that they won't gain sole possession of the unwanted record and do well in Mainz.

"We have to take the positives and give 100% again against Mainz in midweek – and finally get what we deserve," he said.