Quarter-final: Schalke - Sofia Preview
Slomka and Müller issue Levski warning
The situation is deceptive. After winning 3-1 in Sofia the Royal Blues have one foot in the semi-final. But team manager Andreas Müller has warned his players not to assume the second leg against Levski Sofia at the VELTINS Arena on Thursday evening will be a mere formality. "Sometimes the craziest things happen in Europe. We have to be very focused going into the game."
All the more so as Levski have recently shown just what a strong team they are. Last weekend they beat archrivals CSKA Sofia 1-0 away to move to the top of the league table. And according to Mirko Slomka the players have not forgotten the first encounter. "The game was not as clear-cut as the result might suggest. They were good and they are sure to give it all they've got in the return leg."
The Schalke boss does not intend to make many changes for the game. "It wouldn't be appropriate to rotate the side - we want to achieve our objectives", emphasised Slomka, who will definitely field his strongest side. In other words, any adjustments will be made only where necessary. Fabian Ernst (suspended) and Gustavo Varela (family bereavement) will have to replaced, for example, while Mladen Krstajic is a doubt. The Serbian defender is suffering from muscular trouble. "I'll have to think about that one, it could be too big a risk", explained Slomka.
To ensure Schalke's place in the semi-final is not placed in doubt, the Schalke boss would like to see an early goal from his team. "Everything would be easier then. We intend to go forward, dominate the game and try not to concede, if at all possible", he said.
Müller has assured himself that the players are really looking forward to the clash with the Bulgarians. "The mood in the dressing room is one of eager anticipation. The lads are up for it. They want to put Sunday's result against Hamburg behind them and their biggest wish now is to progress to the semi-final." But as the team manager reminded everyone, this would not be a formality: "I remember the second-round UEFA Cup tie in Trabzon in the 1996/97 season. We had won the home game 1-0 and were leading 2-0 at half-time, i.e. 3-0 overall. But we still nearly got knocked out."
