Schalke and Sporting Lisbon have both had stuttering starts to their Champions League campaigns, and head into their meeting in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday looking for their maiden victories.
Schalke 04 vs. Sporting Portugal, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Schalke and Sporting Lisbon will both be looking for their first Champions League wins of the season in their clash on Tuesday.
Lars Baron
Schalke impressively drew with Chelsea in their first fixture, though followed that up with a rather less impressive tie at home to Slovenian side Maribor. Since then they have sacked coach Jens Keller and replaced him with Roberto Di Matteo, who started his Schalke career with a victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Sporting, meanwhile, sit bottom of the group on a single point, after drawing to Maribor and losing to Chelsea. However, so tight are things in Group G at present, that a victory for the Portuguese side in this match would make things look very different indeed.
Key player - Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)
Sporting Lisbon’s Algerian forward Islam Slimani has picked up where he left off in an impressive World Cup campaign. Slimani -- who was linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer -- has netted four times in his five league appearances, and he could well continue his impressive form on Tuesday. Strong and excellent in the air, Schalke will have to try and cut off his service from wide areas.
Key matchup - William Carvalho vs. Schalke’s attacking midfielders
Sporting's star youngster is defensive midfielder William Carvalho, who was reportedly subject to interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs during the summer transfer window. He's going to have to prove his worth in this match, as he goes up against a team with a string of talented attacking midfielders all capable of interchanging across the fileld. Look out for Julian Draxler and Max Meyer in particular -- both are seriously hot young talents.
Schalke injuries and suspensions
Out: Fabian Giefer, Felipe Santana (adductors), Sead Kolašinac, Jefferson Farfán (knee). In doubt: Sidney Sam (muscular problems), Leon Goretzka (hamstring).
Sporting Lisbon injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Rami Rabia (abdomen).
Schalke’s injury list is still a long one, with Fabian Giefer, Felipe Santana, Sead Kolašinac and Jefferson Farfán all certain to miss out, and Sidney Sam and Leon Goretzka likely to join them in the stands. Sporting Lisbon are rather more salubrious, though they could still be without Rami Rabia.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
TV: Fox Soccer Plus, Directv (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), Sky (Germany), Sport TV1 (Portugal)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 Online-App (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (Germany)
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