Kuranyi sure of Schalke's destiny

Kuranyi quality
FC Schalke 04 still top the table with 65 points, VfB Stuttgart are just a point behind, on the same goal difference, while Werder Bremen are hot on their heels on 63 points with a goal difference superiority of 13 goals. Kevin Kuranyi's goal gave Schalke a 1-0 win against 1. FC Nürnberg and team-mate Fabian Ernst was grateful to the German international for rising to the occasion. "Kevin wants the title more than anyone else," said Ernst. "He is now proving what a great forward he is." Kuranyi himself added: "It was a beautiful and vital goal for Schalke but there are still two more games in which I can score even more important goals. We are very close to the title now."

Slomka delight
Schalke coach Mirko Slomka was delighted at the way his team bounced back from last week's 2-1 defeat at VfL Bochum 1848. "I am glad we won against such a tough team," he said. "I still believe the title will be decided on the last day. We want to take our small advantage into the last game and certainly fare better in our next derby than we did against Bochum." Schalke travel to BV Borussia Dortmund in what is perhaps the biggest derby in German football before hosting DSC Arminia Bielefeld in their season finale.

'No nerves'
Stuttgart had no problems overcoming relegation-threatened 1. FSV Mainz 05 with a 2-0 home win. Having started the season with UEFA Cup aspirations, Stuttgart are relishing the prospect of a UEFA Champions League upgrade. "We've worked hard to get this far," said Roberto Hilbert, who scored the second goal on Saturday. "We don't care what Schalke are doing. Why should we get nervous now?"

Bremen goals
While some feared Bremen might slip up against Hertha BSC Berlin on Sunday following their UEFA Cup semi-final exit last week, they did anything but, stating their title credentials with a classy 4-1 win against the club from the capital. "The team proved that it has goals to reach and that it intends to reach them," said coach Thomas Schaaf. "It was important to see how the team reacted after losing on Thursday."

Dortmund test
With the title run-in going down to the wire, all eyes will be on Schalke's trip to Dortmund, a match which will be played in front of 80,000 spectators. "We want to win, but everyone knows that BVB will make things extremely difficult," said Slomka. However, things will not be much easier for Stuttgart, who travel to in-form Bochum, and Bremen, who host Eintracht Frankfut. With the title within touching distance there are no easy games for anyone.