Group stage: Schalke - Milan Preview
Rangnick out to challenge Milan
On Wednesday evening FC Schalke 04 face their biggest challenge in the UEFA Champions League to date. Though the Royal Blues see themselves as outsiders ahead of the home clash with last year's finalists AC Milan, they still believe they are in with a chance.
Schalke will take confidence from Saturday's 2-0 home win over Hannover 96. "The way in which we played, in particular, showed us how we have to perform on Wednesday", said head coach Ralf Rangnick. "And if you add the thrill of playing in the Champions League, if everyone gives another 15 or 20 percent, I do feel we are capable of posing Milan some real problems."
For the Royal Blues the game isn't a question of "chess on grass", an approach which in any case would be doomed to fail against the side that finished second in the Italian league last season. "We've got to be bold. Instead of waiting to see how the game develops, we've got to be positive from the word go", said Rangnick. "And the same applies when Milan are in possession."
Another decisive factor was form on the day, he added. "We have to understand that we need to perform to the highest standard in every part of the team and in switching from one to the other."
General manager Rudi Assauer considers the roles are clearly defined ahead of the game: "It's our easiest game in the sense that we go into it as outsiders. Although we're playing at home, we aren't the favourites. "But we're still in with a chance. Because if you're on form, you can beat any great team."
Carlo Ancelotti's men arrived in Gelsenkirchen today fresh from a 2-0 Serie A win at next-to-bottom side Treviso on Sunday. A game that Rangnick analysed very closely, commenting on the current form as follows: "Milan had a bit of difficulty finding their rhythm at the beginning of the season. This is affecting a number of top teams across Europe who have yet to regain the impetus of last season. Maybe the international breaks have played a role in this. But after two successive wins in Serie A, Milan are clearly on the ascendancy again."
On the playing side Ebbe Sand has recovered from a rib injury and returns to the squad, as does Zlatan Bajramovic, who was suspended against Hannover 96. Gustavo Varela, however, is likely to miss out again due to a thigh strain. The Uruguayan international will undergo a further fitness test on Wednesday, but Rangnick is sceptical of his chances of recovering in time to play.
