Established as the main title rivals to Bayern at the start of the campaign, Schalke, who topped their Champions League group, have imploded since late last year with one win in their last nine games to drop to sixth place.
Their fans were jeering and whistling after last week's home defeat to bottom-placed Greuther Fuerth, adding more pressure on coach Jens Keller, who took over from Huub Stevens just before the winter break, and his team.
"It is understandable that our fans are frustrated. We are now obliged to pull ourselves out of this situation," said midfielder Roman Neustadter.
"We have to work together to do this. If everyone shows what they can do then we will pull ourselves out of this situation," he said. "We have to keep working hard to get back to the road of success."
Schalke, who take on Galatsaray in the Champions League Round of 16 later this month, could be without forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was replaced in the Netherlands squad prior to Wednesday's friendly against Italy with an eye injury.
He will undergo further tests to determine whether he will be fit in time for Saturday's game, Schalke have said.
"We do not want to let off. We want to continue like that because everything is in our own hands," Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic, whose two goals last week in their 3-0 win over Mainz 05 sent him top of the Bundesliga scorers' list with 14, told reporters.
"Up to now everything is going according to plan," he said.
