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Galatasaray run into resurgent Schalke
Schalke 04 head into Tuesday's Champions League clash against Turkey's Galatasaray fuelled with confidence after beating German champions Borussia Dortmund but will be without key striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Schalke 04 head into Tuesday's Champions League clash against Turkey's Galatasaray fuelled with confidence after beating German champions Borussia Dortmund but will be without key striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The Dutchman partially tore a ligament in the Ruhr valley derby on Saturday after a collision with his own keeper and has been ruled out for some weeks, but will not need surgery.
His absence, however, could prove vital as Schalke look to advance after their last-16, first-leg 1-1 draw in Istanbul. Their win on Saturday was their third straight success after a miserable run of one victory in their previous 11 matches.
Schalke, who together with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are the only undefeated teams left in the competition, last made it to the last eight in 2011 on their way to the semi-final of Europe's premier club competition.
Surprise defeat
The Turkish side were far less successful in their dress rehearsal, losing 1-0 at home to mid-table Genclerbirligi with January signing Didier Drogba missing a penalty.
That prompted a warning from coach Fatih Terim that a similar show would be punished more harshly by Schalke.
"Pull yourselves together," the coach was quoted by Turkish media as telling his players. "I do not want to see such a performance against Schalke."
Galatasaray will put their faith in their newly-formed attacking trio of Wesley Sneijder, Drogba and the Champions League's second highest goalscorer, Burak Yilmaz, to help them to advance past Schalke.
The game will also mark the return to Gelsenkirchen of midfielder Hamit Altintop, who spent four seasons with Schalke from 2003.
Galatasaray are still leading the Turkish championship by four points.
