Felix Magath worries of Hoffenheim

Felix Magath worries of Hoffenheim

Schalke manager Felix Magath is not reading anything into Hoffenheim's poor start to the season as he takes his league leaders south on Friday night.

The Royal Blues can pull three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a win in Hoffenheim, but Magath says the position of his team and that of his opponents mean very little at this early stage of the season.

"We won't read anything into their start to the season. They have had tougher opponents than us," he said at a press conference.

"They are going to go looking for a win from the whistle and we are going to have to be very alert."

Schalke have picked up maximum points from their opening two Bundesliga fixtures with last weekend's 3-0 win over Bochum signalling their intentions this season.

However, Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick does not feel intimidated, even if his side has only picked up one point so far this season.

"We have got to show them who is playing at home," he proclaimed. "We must build on our performance from the Bayern Munich game and play with a high tempo."

Rangnick is still without Luiz Gustavo, but Tobias Weis has recovered from a knee injury and can expect to return to the team.

Schalke arrive without Jermaine Jones, Christian Pander and Vicente Sanchez.

Magath can therefore name an unchanged side to the one which he has named in the previous two matches with 19-year-old sensation Christoph Moritz continuing to keep the summer's biggest signing Lewis Holtby on the bench.

Jefferson Farfan and Kevin Kuranyi, who have steered in three of the Royal Blues' five goals will again lead the attack.

Vedad Ibisevic, who netted 18 goals in 17 matches during the first half of last season, will lead Hoffenheim's attack as he looks to open his account for the season.