Schalke seek defensive solidity
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Article summary
Having scored seven times in their last fixture FC Schalke 04 are looking to tighten up at the back when they take on RCD Espanyol in the UEFA Cup.
Article body
Goals galore
Their handsome 7-4 victory against Bayer 04 Leverkusen may have been thrilling for the fans, but Schalke's new coach Mirko Slomka knows that leaking goals at home could prove fatal for their European hopes. After dropping out of the UEFA Champions League with an unlucky 3-2 defeat against AC Milan on Matchday 6, defensive thoughts will be uppermost in Slomka's mind in Gelsenkirchen.
Task in hand
"We have to keep our feet on the ground and try to concentrate on the job ahead," said Slomka, who will be without Hamit Altintop, Darío Rodríguez, Tomasz Waldoch and Christian Pander through injury while Levan Kobiashvili is suspended. "For the match against Espanyol I would prefer a 2-0 win over a 7-4 scoreline." Defender Mladen Krstajić agreed, saying: "We have to stabilise our defence again and have to deny Espanyol even a single goal."
Fourth spot
Key absentees
Coach Miguel Ãngel Lotina, who begins a four-match touchline ban, is also missing suspended Brazilian midfielder Fredson Camara plus Mauricio Pochettino (achilles) and captain Raúl Tamudo (calf) while Iván de la Peña (ankle), Moisés Hurtado (groin) and Luis García (knee) are all doubtful. Espanyol defender Dani Jarque warned his team-mates of Schalke: "The seven goals they scored this weekend proves their potential. If we're not at 100 per cent they can give us a fright."