Krstajic to give his all for Schalke

As they chase a first Bundesliga title, FC Schalke 04 and defender Mladen Krstajić face a big test of their credentials with Saturday's visit to FC Bayern München - particularly as Krstajić is playing with a broken rib.

Bayern hoodoo
Schalke lead Werder Bremen by three points with eight games to play, while Bayern are a further six points adrift in fourth and have the distraction of a UEFA Champions League quarter-final against AC Milan. But while Schalke - the last of whose seven national championships came in 1958, five seasons before the Bundesliga began - have the best away record in the division, they have failed to beat Bayern in the clubs' last five meetings.

Brave Krstajić
So it is all hands to the pump for Schalke and the 33-year-old Krstajić, who will continue to grit his teeth by wearing a special rib protector. He and defensive partner Marcelo Bordon have conceded just 25 Bundesliga goals this term, with Krstajić offering vital know-how having been part of the last title success outside of Munich, when Werder Bremen claimed the crown in 2003/04, not to mention three championships with Belgrade giants FK Partizan. "A win at Bayern would be a big step, but the match won't decide anything as Munich are fourth," the Serbian international said, before playing down his injury. "I don't make a fuss about it. For a victory I would have a few more ribs broken, no problem. It is important to give everything."

Impressive run
Before the last set of fixtures, on 17/18 March, Schalke had not won in four games but their 1-0 home triumph against third-placed VfB Stuttgart got them back on track, keeping Bremen at bay. Moreover, the Blues are undefeated in eight away matches. However, their best such streak ended in 1977 with a 7-1 thrashing at Bayern, and Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld hopes for a similarly unhappy day for the visitors. "My team are in great shape and totally determined to take all three points against Schalke," he said.