Schalke vs Borussia M'gladbach Preview
Borussia Monchengladbach are enjoying being on top of the Bundesliga, but their defender Dante says emulating Sunday's opponents Schalke by playing in Europe next season is only a secondary aim.
Beating the Royal Blues on Sunday to move onto 10 points and a quarter of a way to their goal for the season is more of a priority, according to the Brazilian.
"It is nice (being top), but it is not important," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper. "Only three games have been played and we still have 31 to come.
"Being top does not bring us anything. The important thing is that we have started well with seven points
"This gives us lots of self-confidence for the coming games and now we have to put our foot down.
"We just need to carry on working hard, taking each game as it comes and seeing what comes of it.
"Our aim is to get to 40 points as quickly as possible."
Host Schalke have also tanked up on belief with 15 goals in their last three games, including six against Helsinki on Thursday to help them into the group stage of the Europa League.
"There is no substitute for wins," admitted their coach Ralf Rangnick.
"The atmosphere in the team is fantastic."
Nevertheless, Rangnick admits he would not mind his side scoring fewer, as long as it still suffices for three points.
"If we only score one and don't concede, that would also do for me," he said.
Rangnick may consider rotating his team slightly after the Helsinki game with striker Raul a possible candidate for a break.
He picked up a superficial wound after a challenge on Thursday and, although he should still be fit, a rest could do the Spaniard good in view of Schalke's upcoming marathon of games at home and abroad.
Gladbach are still without the injured Martin Stranzl, although Roel Brouwers is back from suspension.