Confident against Schalke’s European high-fliers

Philipp Bargfrede won a challenge against Schalke’s top striker Raúl.
First Team
Thursday, 14.04.2011 / 17:39

Just three days after Schalke's sensational advancement to the Champions League semi-finals, the Royal Blues' next showdown is at Werder Bremen on Saturday 16 April 2011 at 6:30 p.m. While Schalke have pulled well clear of the relegation battle with 39 points...

Just three days after Schalke's sensational advancement to the Champions League semi-finals, the Royal Blues' next showdown is at Werder Bremen on Saturday 16 April 2011 at 6:30 p.m. While Schalke have pulled well clear of the relegation battle with 39 points, the Green-Whites still must worry about the drop with 34 points going into the 30th match day at the sold-out Weser Stadium - despite being six points clear of a relegation spot. "We will not tire of emphasizing that we are on the right path but we have not yet gone clear," said manager Klaus Allofs.

Raúl shined not only against Inter as the Spaniard scored three of his 12 goals this season in the first half showdown with Bremen.

Schalke have won nationwide appeal and respect following their impressive showings against Inter Milan. Werder head coach Thomas Schaaf, whose team just like FC Bayern lost to the Champions League reigning champions this season, also expressed praise for the Schalke side. "That is a huge success. It is pretty impressive how confident the team played in Milan and continued that yesterday evening so that they deservedly are in the semi-finals. A big compliment. It was pleasant watching it."

Schalke have really taken off since the sacking of Felix Magath and return of Ralf Rangnick (who coached the Royal Blues from September 2004 to December 2005). The team exited the relegation battle by winning their past four league matches, freeing the minds of all around the Schalke team. Schaaf however does not want to overvalue that. "The success had been there beforehand. They reached the German Cup final and had held their own in the Champions League," said the Bremen coach. The Green-Whites themselves had to experience first-hand in the first half of the season how well Schalke could play as Raúl scored his first Bundesliga hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Werder in November. It's no surprise that the Champions League's all-time leading scorer received the highest respect from Bremen. "Raúl is a top striker and a real leader. Also with Schalke he has shown all of his quality and exhibited his experience," said Bremen striker Claudio Pizarro.

Still, Schaaf said his team is also confident of their ability. "We are ready to take on the fight and go after every opponent. We are in the nice situation Saturday evening of squaring off with an opponent that has such a positive focus at the moment. I think it will be a great game. Games against Schalke have always been good."

 

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