Manager Ralf Rangnick expects a close matchGELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) ― Two weeks after knocking out title holder Inter Milan, an unheralded Schalke side is looking to cause another major upset in the Champions League when it plays Manchester United in the first leg of the semifinals on Tuesday.
Schalke considers itself a total underdog against the three-time champion. But the Bundesliga team was also the outsider against Inter and still went through 7-3 on aggregate.
“Of the two teams, we have much less to lose,” Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick said Monday. “We may be less experienced, but we are hungry and we have a lot of passion.”
Rangnick expects a close game and United’s manager Alex Ferguson also sees a tough match ahead.
“It’s going to be difficult for both teams, it’s not an easy tie for either side,” Ferguson said.
Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung takes part in a training session in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Monday. (AFP-Yonhap News)
Schalke, the UEFA Cup winner in 1997, is in its first Champions League semifinal, while United is in its 12th.
“Manchester United is a household name, just like Inter Milan before,” Schalke midfielder Alexander Baumjohann said. “It’s a dream of every player to be facing the Reds in a Champions League semifinal.
“Looking at the names, there is hardly any difference between Inter and Man U. The important thing is not to concede at home. Perhaps we can land another upset.”
Rangnick said he expected a close game. “We won’t score so many goals this time,” Rangnick said. “United is a very organized team. I expect a close game and a result that may give us a chance in the second leg.”
Schalke has won all its home games in the competition, while United has not conceded a goal in four wins and one draw away.
Both teams rested some of their top players over the weekend. United still won, 1-0 over Everton, but Schalke lost 1-0 at home to Kaiserslautern.
While United is closing in on the Premier League title, Schalke has nothing to play for in the Bundesliga, where it is stuck in the middle of the table.
Schalke has managed to reach the semifinals despite a turbulent few weeks which included the sacking of coach Felix Magath, who was replaced by Rangnick. The club was also shaken last week by the decision of goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer not to extend his contract, which still has another season to run. The Germany goalkeeper has not said where he plans to continue his career.