Bayer Leverkusen players greet the travelling fans after Saturday's 2-1 loss at Freiburg. Thomas Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images

Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller has warned his team to secure a victory as soon as possible if they are to avoid getting drawn into the relegation battle.

Leverkusen, who have established themselves as Champions League regulars in recent seasons, have taken only one point from their last three games and now sit just four points clear of Augsburg in the relegation playoff spot.

They trail seventh-placed Werder Bremen by six points and, with four games of the season remaining, Voller said the focus is on preserving their top-flight status rather than European qualification.

"It's a cursed season," he said ahead of the home meeting with Schalke on Saturday. "We are no longer looking toward the top -- that's definitely forbidden.

"We need to make sure that we win three points as soon as possible, preferably against Schalke."

After hosting Schalke next weekend, Leverkusen also face Ingolstadt and Cologne before making the trip to one of the league's best home teams, Hertha Berlin, on the final day of the regular season.

Having picked up 24 points in the first half of the season, Leverkusen's real struggles began in February, when midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu was hit with a four-month FIFA ban for breach of contract.

In March, the club sacked long-serving coach Roger Schmidt and named Tayfun Korkut their interim solution until the end of the season, but the 43-year-old has been unable to turn the club's fortunes around.

Leverkusen have won only six points from Korkut's seven games in charge, and have scored just seven goals, with three of those coming in the 3-3 draw against Wolfsburg.