
The team down, the coach in need of an explanation: FC schalke 04 is in the doldrums after the 1:2 in the district derby against borussia dortmund. With 14 points after 14 matchdays, the pre-season runners-up are in a relegation battle.
"I don’t know what you call it," said sports director christian heidel almost defiantly. "But we can read the table. We are aware of the situation. We are standing back there and we can’t get out at the moment."
The team’s deep fall also worries last year’s promoted coach. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old is combative. "That the situation is not already, is clear somewhere," said tedesco, whose team lost a derby for the first time in three years after goals from thomas delaney and jadon sancho. The gap to arch-rival and bundesliga leader BVB is 22 points, and the relegation zone is threateningly close.