Round of 16: Palermo - Schalke Preview
"Palermo are stronger than Espanyol", warns Slomka
Schalke 04 are not short on confidence ahead of their last 16 UEFA Cup tie at US Palermo. "We go into the game full of self-belief", said head coach Mirko Slomka, though he was quick to warn his players not to underestimate the side currently occupying tenth place in the Serie A.
"Palermo are stronger than Espanyol, and not just because they've gone a round further in the UEFA Cup", said Slomka. "They're an ambitious club and the fact they've got four current Italy internationals in their ranks speaks for itself." Just how strong they are could be seen in Italy's recent 4-1 win over Germany. Yet the Sicilians do not put all their faith in the individual ability of their players. "They're very complete tactically and good on the break and down the flanks. We've got to be extremely careful", the Schalke boss added.
Particular caution is called for during the first leg at the Renzo Barbera Stadium. Though the home side are expecting just 15,000 fans at most, "we know how strong Palermo are at home, where they're a completely different proposition", said Slomka.
Palermo will be without their playmaker, though. Enrico Corini is injured, as is Lincoln for the Royal Blues. Schalke also have Kevin Kuranyi, Tim Hoogland, Christian Pander (all knee), Hamit Altintop (muscle tear) and Tomasz Waldoch (ankle) sidelined.
