Schalke coach Mirko Slomka could make some surprise selections against Barcelona

The Bundesliga side will feel anything is possible when they host Barca on Tuesday with the Arena AufSchalke an intimidating place to play at the best of times.
 
Schalke, 1997 Uefa Cup winners and appearing in the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the first time since 1958-59, are third in the Bundesliga after three wins and a draw in their last four matches.
 
Barcelona, two-time European champions, are also in third place in their league, yet their form has not been up to the usual standard expected from a European powerhouse.

"It is difficult to explain what happened," Frank Rijkaard, Barca coach, said after his team conceded three goals in 15 second-half minutes against Betis.

Rijkaard has few options to change his out of form side, with star midfielder Ronaldinho unlikely to take part because of leg muscle pain, while Deco, Rafael Marquez and Lionel Messi are also all out injured.

The Barca coach may be tempted to recall Silvinho on the left side of defence, while Gabriel Milito, Argentine centre-back, could return after missing out on the Betis defeat because of groin pain.

Attacking options

Meanwhile Schalke, who beat Celtic in the last 16, will be looking to put on an attacking display in front of their home fans.

During the group phase the German club played defensively at home to Valencia and Chelsea and got just a point from the two matches.

"We have to get forward faster, to open up more opportunities," striker Kevin Kuranyi told reporters.

"We need to create more chances."

Mirko Slomka, Schalke coach, experimented on Saturday by playing full-back Christian Pander in an unfamiliar position on the left of midfield, with the in-form Heiko Westermann behind him.

"They worked well together," said Slomka, who will have to decide whether to play the same risky formation on Tuesday.

In Tuesday's other quarter-final first leg match Italy's Roma host English champions Manchester United.

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto: