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For the first time in the Champions League semifinals, Gelzenkirchen's "Schalke" club will try to prove that they ended up in the great elite not by accident and eliminate the famous "Man Utd."
UEFA Champions League. First leg of the semifinals Gelzenkircheno" Schalke "- "Man Utd"
Date: Tuesday, 2011.04.26, 21.45 Lithuanian time
Location: "Veltins Arena" (54,000 seats), Gelzenkirchen, Germany
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)
Live broadcast: TV6, "Viasat Sport Baltic" (live)
Return match: 2011.05.04
The German team has struggled in the national championship all season, occupying just 10th place, but that did not prevent them from achieving historic victories in the Champions League. The destruction of Milan's "Inter" in the quarterfinal match at the "San Siro" stadium 5-2 is worth mentioning.
"We are younger and less experienced, but we have a greater thirst for victories than our opponents," hoped "Schalke" strategist Ralf Rangnick, who replaced Felix Magath more than a month ago. "In the matches against 'Inter', we compensated for the lack of experience with enthusiasm, dedication, and discipline.
Now we have to do the same at home and in Manchester. This is an extremely important match. Who knows if footballers will ever have such an opportunity again."
At least at home, "Schalke" definitely has hopes - this season, the team has won all matches in the Champions League. Moreover, it has forward Raul, who has triumphed in the Champions League three times.
However, the opponent is very powerful. "Man Utd" has not conceded a single goal this season in opponents' stadiums. However, there are encouraging facts for "Schalke" - throughout its history, the English club has never defeated opponents from Germany in the knockout stages of two-legged matches and in the last season had to admit the superiority of Munich's "Bayern".
Yet, led by veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in his final years of playing, Rio Ferdinand returned to the core of defense, the ageless veteran Ryan Giggs, and the expert-surprising Javier Hernandez, the favorite remains the Manchester team.
"We have to show them our history: why we have played in this stage so many times, why we have reached the final so many times," said defender John O'Shea.
"We are the favorites, and this adds pressure. After all, a team that can score so many goals against 'Inter' definitely must be dangerous. We must use our experience to silence the opponents' fans."
Predicted starting line-ups:
"Schalke": Neuer; Uchida, Metzelder, Howedes, Sarpei; Baumjohann, Matip, Papadopoulos, Jurado; Edu, Raul.
"Schalke" will have to cope without several players at home: the injured list includes Peeras Kluge, Klaasas Janas Huntelaar, Christian Pander, Mario Gavranovic, Christoph Moritz, and Tim Hoogland. It is not clear whether Benedikt Howedes will be able to take to the field.
"Man Utd": Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Giggs, Park; Rooney, Hernandez.
"Man Utd" will be without the top scorer of the season Dimitar Berbatov, but his absence is not too painful, as recently the striking duo consisted of Wayne Rooney and Hernandez.
Video presenting the match:
