Borussia Dortmund told to show 'fight and emotion' in derby battle against Schalke

Sporting director Zorc was fuming at team's defensive performance against Lazio in the Champions League

Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, left, and Erling Braut Haaland during their 3-1 Champions League defeat to Lazio on Tuesday, October 20. Reuters

Lazio players celebrate after Marwin Hitz's own goal put the Italians 2-0 up in Rome. AP

Erling Braut Haaland of Borussia Dortmund. Getty

Lazio's Ciro Immobile scores the opening goal. AP

Dortmund's Jadon Sancho on the attack against Lazio. Getty

Lazio's Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro scores to make it 3-1. EPA

Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after pulling a goal back for the Germans. EPA

Dortmund's Thomas Meunier and Mohamed Fares of Lazio challenge for a header. Getty

Erling Braut Haaland scores for Dortmund. Getty

Lazio's Ciro Immobile gets in a cross under pressure from Mats Hummels of Dortmund. Getty

Erling Braut Haaland wins a header for Dortmund. Getty

Borussia Dortmund have been told to show "fight and emotion" as they take on arch-rivals Schalke in Saturday's derby and look to challenge RB Leipzig at the top of the Bundesliga.

Sporting director Michael Zorc was fuming as Dortmund crashed to a 3-1 defeat to Lazio in Rome on Tuesday in their opening Champions League game.

Covid-19 has cast a shadow over the Bundesliga this week with Werder Bremen, who host Hoffenheim Sunday, cancelling training Thursday after an unnamed player tested positive.

Second-place Bayern Munich will face Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday without Germany winger Serge Gnabry who sat out Wednesday's 4-0 thumping of Atletico Madrid after a positive test for the virus.

As Germany recorded record high figures of the coronavirus on Thursday, most league games will be played behind closed doors.

Just 300 home fans will be allowed to watch in Dortmund and Zorc urged his side not to keep their distance when defending against second-from-bottom Schalke.

"We observed the distancing rules when defending" against Lazio, "in exemplary fashion. We want to see a reaction," said Zorc drily ahead of Saturday's derby. He also wants to see "fight and emotion" from the home side.

Dortmund are third in the table, level with defending champions Bayern on nine points and just one behind leaders Leipzig.

Erling Braut Haaland, who scored Dortmund's consolation goal in Rome, also netted as Schalke crashed to a 4-0 thrashing last May on their previous visit to Dortmund.

Gelsenkirchen-based Schalke are winless in their last 20 Bundesliga games and would love nothing more than to break their run at neighbours Dortmund.

Schalke assistant manager Naldo knows all about getting a result at Signal Iduna Park.

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Gallery: Dortmund 4 Schalke 0

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The Brazilian's last-gasp header in 2017 capped a stunning fight-back from four goals down as Schalke sealed a 4-4 draw away from home.

"Schalke will have a lot of passion, discipline and commitment – they will want to ruin our game," warned Zorc.

Tensions are running extra high between the clubs after a racist incident last weekend.

Dortmund prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko, 15, received alleged death threats and racist abuse from Schalke fans after scoring a hat-trick in Sunday's 3-2 win in an Under-19 derby in Gelsenkirchen. Schalke have apologised and are investigating the allegations.

Dortmund are without centre-back Manuel Akanji, who is recovering from the coronavirus, and winger Thorgan Hazard who has a leg knock.

Midfield enforcer Emre Can is available after missing the Lazio defeat with suspension.

Table-topping Leipzig host Hertha Berlin on Saturday with Angelino out to add to his tally of four goals this season.

A left-back by trade, the Spaniard has scored in his last three games for league leaders RB Leipzig since moving up to the left wing.

He bagged both superb goals in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League.

The 23-year-old Manchester City loanee is supplying the goals in the absence of Timo Werner, who has joined Chelsea, and has been described as "dangerous" in front of goal by Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche.

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Gallery: Bayern 4 Atletico Madrid 0