After Schalke 04 started the Bundesliga season with two defeats and a draw, coach Jens Keller's days seemed numbered. However, they started their turnaround with a shock 1-1 draw away at Chelsea in their opening Champions League game, and have masterminded wins over Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund in their last couple of domestic matches.
Schalke 04 vs. Maribor, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Schalke will look to continue their recent renaissance at home to Maribor on Tuesday.
Lars Baron
They should make it three in a row against Maribor on Tuesday, despite the Slovenian champions defying the odds to hold Sporting Lisbon to a draw in their opening Champions League match. Should Schalke win, they’d put themselves in a great position to qualify for the next round.
Key player - Julian Draxler (Schalke)
The young heart of this Schalke team is German wonderkid playmaker Julian Draxler, who is capable of playing both out wide and through the middle. The 21-year-old has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs since making his Bundesliga debut back in 2011, having shown both fantastic vision and a handy knack for finding the back of the net himself. If he’s allowed room to work his magic in this match, Maribor’s fate may as well be already sealed.
Key matchup - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar vs. the Maribor centre-backs
Schalke’s lone centre-forward in this match will be Dutch veteran Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has scored in double figures in the Bundesliga in each of the last three seasons. Though it has taken him a little while to get up to speed this campaign, his power and aerial strength makes him a serious force to be reckoned with. He’ll certainly be tough for the Maribor defenders to handle.
Schalke injuries and suspensions
Out: Fabian Giefer, Felipe Santana (adductors), Leon Goretzka (hamstring) and Jefferson Farfán, Sead Kolašinac (knee). In doubt: Jan Kirchhoff (knee), Benedikt Höwedes (hip).
Maribor injuries and suspensions
Out: Petar Stojanović (unspecified). In doubt: Welle N’Diaye (unspecified).
Schalke still have a very long injury list, though they’re hopeful that Jan Kirchhoff and Benedikt Höwedes could shake off their respective problems to be involved. Maribor will be without Petar Stojanović, who has failed to make the trip to Gelsenkirchen, while Welle N’Diaye is doubtful after being withdrawn in the first half of their last league match.
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 Sport 2/HD (Germany)
Online: Fox Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 Online-App (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K. and Germany).
See More:
