Schalke are without American midfielder Weston McKennie as they continue their search for a first point of the season at Freiburg on Tuesday (kick-off: 8:30pm CEST/7:30pm BST/2:30pm ET).
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The hosts bagged their first three points of the campaign on Saturday with an impressive 3-1 win at previously unbeaten Wolfsburg. Germany international Nils Petersen got his first goal of the season in that game, while Roland Sallai bagged his maiden Bundesliga strike to open the scoring. The Hungary international was subbed off after sustaining a knock in the first half, but looks to have shaken that off in time for the visit of Freiburg’s favourite Bundesliga opponents.
That’s a tag Schalke are desperate to shake on this trip as they look to get off the mark in the Bundesliga this season. They will have to do so without USA international McKennie after he hobbled off late in the 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. Schalke confirmed the injury was not as serious as first feared, but a bruised lower leg will keep him out for some time. Last season’s runners-up in the league, the Royal Blues have netted just twice this campaign through Nabil Bentaleb and Breel Embolo – and none earlier than the 85th minute.
Watch: Bentaleb is hopeful of a quick response to Schalke's woes
Probable line-ups
Freiburg: Schwolow – Koch, Gulde, Heintz – Stenzel, Haberer, Höfler, Günter – Sallai, Frantz (c) - PetersenAbsentees: Borrello (cruciate ligament), Kleindienst (ankle), Stanko (knee)Coach: Christian Streich
Schalke: Fährmann (c) – Sane, Naldo, Nastasic – Caligiuri, Rudy, Bentaleb, Mendyl – Uth, Embolo, KonoplyankaAbsentees: McKennie (lower leg), Oczipka (groin), Skrzybski (muscle), Stambouli (ankle)Coach: Domenico Tedesco