Allen Hamilton
What: UEFA Champions League Quarter-final (second leg)
Who: Schalke (5) vs Inter (2)
When: Wednesday 13th April, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Changing Ship’s Captain No Mistake
With Schalke choosing to sack Felix Magath from the Veltins Arena hot seat on 16th March, the Ruhr giants have not been handicapped by their decision to change course. Such a decision, in advance of a Champions League quarter-final might well have been viewed as a risky one, and should the Germans have be bundled out – still a possibility, albeit a slim one – then questions could be asked; but so far so good.
New boss Ralf Rangnick knows the club, having managed Schalke in the 2004/05 campaign, and he has slipped into the captain’s seat effortlessly. The 52-year-old sailed a fine course in the San Siro against Inter in the first leg, later admitting he had watched AC Milan in the Rossoneri’s 3-0 win over the Nerazzurri just days earlier for tips.
"We observed them in the derby against Milan and we could see there that whoever defends in numbers against Inter has got to be good on the counter-attack", admitted Rangnick. "Therefore, we intentionally played attacking football. We wanted to find the holes in their defence. It could have ended 5-10 or 4-8."
Such a cavalier approach is unlikely to be adopted again, with the nerves beginning to jangle as Schalke sense a semi-final spot within reach.
A Legendary Comeback
Inter boss Leonardo admitted soon after the first leg 5-2 defeat that a comeback against Schalke was unlikely, while promising the Nerazzurri will still do all they can. "It’s difficult to think about mounting a recovery in the second leg, but we’ll try to get the best possible result", said the Brazilian.
Since that 5-2 drubbing, Inter have recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Chievo Verona in Serie A, a result which should go some way towards repairing their battered confidence. And despite losing the derby to AC Milan before the Schalke debacle, Inter still remain just five points adrift of their bitter rivals. With just six games to go a revival looks unlikely, but a good performance in Germany could be the spur for a strong finish – and Leonardo can ask for no more.
Indeed, the Brazilian is hoping against hope for a resurrection, promising he is keeping thoughts of a Champions League exit for the holders far from his mind. "Inside I believe that anything is possible. I believe it and the players believe it too."
Recent form
Schalke:
St. Pauli 0-2 Schalke (01/04; Bundesliga – Match Abandoned)
Inter 2-5 Schalke (05/04; Champions League)
Schalke 1-0 Wolfsburg (09/04; Bundesliga)
Inter:
AC Milan 3-0 Inter (02/04; Serie A)
Inter 2-5 Schalke (05/04; Champions League)
Inter 2-0 Chievo Verona (09/04; Serie A)
Key absences
Schalke: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar; Christian Pander; Mario Gavranovic; Peer Kluge; Tim Hoogland; Vasileios Pliatsikas
Inter: Walter Samuel; David Suazo; Houssine Kharja; Wesley Sneijder (doubt)
Players to watch
Schalke – Raul: The all-time top scorer in the Champions League bagged another one against Inter in the San Siro and demonstrated that he is still as razor sharp as was so often evident at Real Madrid. With a Champions League semi-final in sight, something Raul was denied for six years in a row with Los Blancos, the Spaniard will pull out all the stops.
Inter – Samuel Eto’o: While Inter’s players believe in a remarkable comeback, coach Leonardo admitted that none believe quite as much as Eto’o. The former Barcelona striker is used to success in the competition and after lifting the trophy in his first season at the Nerazzurri last year will not give up lightly.
Match Prediction
This will be a different game than that which unfolded last week as nerves start to creep in for Schalke. While Inter have it within themselves to score, their backline is far from secure and the more the Italians push forward the more they risk being exposed. A win in Germany is possible, but it will not be enough to book a semi-final spot. Schalke 1-2 Inter.
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