Group stage: Schalke - Eindhoven Preview
Rangnick targets head-to-head win
In none of the eight groups in this year's Champions League is the situation so open as in Group E. All of the teams are in with a chance of reaching the last 16, but all can finish empty-handed in fourth place. This is just one of the reasons why head coach Ralf Rangnick is expecting a win over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday: "And if possible one by two goals."
Because then the Royal Blues would have won the head-to-head with the Dutch side, something they have already achieved over Fenerbahce SK. This is the rule that decides who is placed higher in the table should one or more teams finish on the same number of points. And besides putting Schalke in a favourable position in light of all the permutations in this "beast of a group", Rangnick feels three points against PSV would give his team a further advantage: "It would mean that qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League would then be in our hands."
Rangnick continued by saying that the Royal Blues had already shown in the second half of the reverse fixture how Guus Hiddink's team can be unhinged. "They are vulnerable. We have to force them into mistakes at the back and thus prevent them from getting into the game." This would also stop them launching their dangerous counterattacks, he added.
The 47-year-old coach from Backnang expects the visitors to operate with a 4-3-3 system at the Arena. PSV's most productive player in recent weeks has been Jefferson Farfan, who has already scored eight goals in ten league matches. "He is certainly their most complete attacking player", Rangnick admitted. But Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who got the only goal of the game in Eindhoven and will probably lead the line as a lone striker, was also a threat. "You simply cannot allow them to get on the ball. For us this means the team have to interlock with each other in all departments."
Against Fenerbahce the Royal Blues demonstrated that they are capable of keeping a lightning-fast striker such as Farfan in check. "Nicolas Anelka is also fantastically quick. And apart from one situation he didn't get a look-in against us", emphasised Rangnick, who is confident his defence can control the young Peruvian.
In selection terms things are looking good for Schalke. Apart from long-term casualties Mimoun Azaouagh, Tim Hoogland, Christian Pander (all knee), Manuel Neuer (broken thumb), Marco van Hoogdalem (hip) and Tomasz Waldoch (sprained ankle), only Rafinha is unavailable due to suspension. Frank Rost, though, is set to return after training well on Tuesday. "He felt no restrictions today", said Rangnick of his first-choice goalkeeper, who has had to sit out the last two games due to a muscle fibre tear at the back of his knee. The 32-year-old became a father on Monday and will resume his position between the posts if he comes through a fitness test on Wednesday.
With Schalke looking strong at the back, then, Rangnick is hoping his strikers will rediscover the 'punch' - that unbending will to score - he felt was lacking in Cologne. "We should have had the game won in the first half. We clearly dominated the proceedings, but neglected to add a second and a third." But because his side failed to score again, as in the matches against Leverkusen and Mönchengladbach, they allowed Cologne back into the game. "This is something we addressed in no uncertain terms in the dressing room. We have to make better use of our chances."
