Semi-final: Schalke - Sevilla Preview
Slomka to rejig team for Sevilla semi-final?
"It's a genuine event", said Mirko Slomka of the forthcoming UEFA Cup clash with FC Sevilla at the VELTINS Arena on Thursday. For the Schalke head coach the semi-final first leg is an opportunity for his side to put their recent disappointing performances in the Bundesliga behind them.
"Everyone should be looking forward to this task", is the message Slomka has been giving his players in the last few days. "How many players get a chance to get through to a European final? That should be motivation enough for them to blot out recent results and concentrate fully on their opponents. We've got to battle them for 180 minutes."
Sevilla currently occupy a UEFA Cup spot in the Primera Division, six points off a Champions League qualifying place. "The teams are in comparable situations in their respective leagues", said Slomka, who finds it difficult to pick a favourite going into the game: "We have a fifty-fifty chance."
Slomka has been unable to see the Andalusians in action himself. After the Bundesliga match against FC Cologne he had intended to fly to La Coruna to watch Sevilla play Deportivo, but ran out of time in the end. He therefore had to rely on the information provided by his scouts and a DVD recording of the game. "They're a very good technical side with two good central defenders and two quick wide men. And Kanoute and Saviola are quality strikers“, Slomka explained. Overall he said the Royal Blues would have to be prepared to face a Spanish side who placed great emphasis on pace.
A potential starting line-up became apparent during training on Tuesday and Wednesday when Lincoln and Kevin Kuranyi were made to play in the B team. "I may well leave them on the bench“, said Slomka. "They've been under a lot of pressure recently and looked unsure of themselves. They've also lacked sharpness, power and mental freshness."
Hamit Altintop is the main alternative in midfield. The Turkey international is on a clear upward trend. "He can be very dangerous, not least from distance. When he gets ten shots in over the course of a game, two usually go in", the Schalke boss said.
One day before the game Slomka was unwilling to commit to a starting eleven. "That would be unprofessional“, he emphasised. "So much can happen, as the example of Ebbe Sand has shown." The Dane was unable to train with the team on Wednesday due to a gastrointestinal infection, though the Schalke boss is assuming the striker will be fit in time for Thursday. Definitely sidelined are long-term absentees Christian Pander and Manuel Neuer. Kepa Blanco is suspended for Sevilla, while Ivica Dragutinovic and Pablo Ruiz are injured.
