Group stage: Einhoven - Schalke Preview
Rangnick calls for patience against PSV
Everyone at Schalke is really looking forward to the Champions League. "We've been working up to this all year", said head coach Ralf Rangnick ahead of Tuesday's trip to PSV Eindhoven (kick-off: 20.45 CET). "It's vital we get off to a good start."
The Royal Blues are represented in Europe's premier club competition for the second time in the club's history after taking part in 2001. Four years ago they exited the Champions League after just two wins in the group phase. "It would be nice if we could get through this year," said a hopeful general manager Rudi Assauer, who emphasised that progressing to the knock-out stage was not an absolute must. Team manager Andreas Müller took a similar view, before adding with a wink: "When we take part in a competition, we aim to win it."
The first obstacle on the road to the final in Paris on 17 May 2006 is PSV Eindhoven. Last season Gus Hiddink's team won the Dutch league and made it to the semi-final of the Champions League before going out unluckily against AC Milan after putting on a great fight.
"They have no playmaker", noted Rangnick in Eindhoven in Saturday evening. The 47-year-old travelled to Holland after the match against Bayer Leverkusen and watched the home side beat FC Utrecht 1-0 thanks to a goal by Arouna Kone. "They deserved to win, even though the performance wasn't convincing."
PSV play the classic Dutch system with three midfielders and three strikers. "It's therefore simply a question of who will play in the individual positions", said Rangnick, who despite the player exodus from Eindhoven is expecting a difficult game on Tuesday evening. "Compared with the previous year their organisation and style of play are definitely the same. They prefer to counterattack, even at home. And while they put their opponents under lots of pressure, they struggle when they have to make the play." This leads the Schalke boss to draw one main conclusion: "It will come down to patience. We have to keep our composure."
The outlook is not good for two of the players who started in the 1-1 draw with Leverkusen. Gerald Asamoah sustained an injury to his left knee and will definitely miss out along with long-term casualties Mimoun Azaouagh, Christian Pander, Tim Hoogland and Marco van Hoogdalem. There is also some doubt over the fitness of Ebbe Sand. The Dane was "totally exhausted“ after the match in Leverkusen, according to Rangnick. "He complained of aching limbs and had to sit out training on Sunday. We'll have to wait and see how he is after Monday evening's session."
Rangnick was not prepared to say whether Sören Larsen would get an opportunity from the start should the Schalke captain miss out. The Schalke coach may well decide to operate with a lone striker if that were the case. Another option would be to bring in new signing Rafinha, allowing Hamit Altintop to move into midfield.
