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Champions League
Preview - 18 Sep 2007
Schalke 04 v Valencia. Tuesday
18 Sep
19:45.
BACKGROUND
It's Germany vs Spain, as the Champions League once again returns
to our screens. With top-seeds Chelsea expected to make all the
running, this could turn out to be a crucial fixture in, (as dubbed
by Schalke coach Mirko Slomka) the race for second place. Rosenborg
make up the numbers, and it would be a huge shock if the Norwegians
were to make the last 16. We really do have a 'six-pointer' on our
hands, even at this early stage.
FORM
There is a growing suspicion in Gelsenkirchen that this could be
the perfect time to play Valencia. Los Ches are in poor form
domestically, with coach Quique Flores under increasing pressure to
correct the slump. The bare results don't tell the whole story, as
Valencia were booed off the Mestalla pitch following a fortuitous
2-1 victory against Valladolid on saturday (David Silva fluked a
late, late winner) and were even more lethargic two weeks ago,
sneaking a thoroughly undeserved three points against another newly-promed
side - Almeria. Flores needs to get it right, and fast. Schalke
meanwhile, are full of confidence after an unbeaten start in the
Bundesliga. Their sole win came against deadly rivals Borussia
Dortmund, who they trounced 4-1 back in week two. Their other four
games have been drawn, although only one of those was at home.
Slomka will be pleased with his side's new-found resilience, which
saw them pick up creditable points in both Stuttgart and Munich.
Places at which they performed dismally last season.
TEAM NEWS
Schalke:
Kobiashvili, Krastajic and Varela are still unavailable, so
Westermann will retain his place at the back. Brazilian defender
Rafinha is a slight doubt, but Slomka should be able to field an
unchanged line-up. Kevin Kuranyi will lead the line once again, ably
supported by Asamoah, Lovenkrands and the in-form Ivan Rakitic.
Valencia:
The two Davids (Silva and Villa) should return to the line-up,
along with defensive stalwarts Carlos Marchena, and David Albeda.
Ruben Baraja will be hoping to keep his place, after returning this
season from a long injury lay-off. New-signing Manuel Fernandes
could be given a chance to shine. Canizares should keep his place in
goal, ahead of highly-rated German Timo Hildeband, despite dropping
a clanger of epic proportions at the weekend.
CONCLUSION
The key feature here is the shambolic nature of Valencia's early
season performances, and apparent disharmony between coach and
players. Flores' tactical acumen has long since been questioned, and
if things don't improve quickly, his position could become
untenable. This Valencia side have performed poorly away from the
Mestalla for some time now, and it could be asking a bit much to
expect his players to suddenly turn things around and dig him out of
this hole, in such intimidating surroundings. Mirak Slomka must know
that this game holds the key to his side's qualifying hopes, and you
can expect Schalke to come out all guns blazing to test a Valencia
back-line that has looked surprisingly brittle in recent games. They
will look to Rakitic to expose the 'ches' shortcomings in that area
and, on current form, he is up to the job.
RECOMMENDATION: 2pts
Schalke at 8/5 with Skybet
Ilunga
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