Ailton targets treble success

A 3-1 win at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach kept FC Schalke 04 joint-top of the Bundesliga at the weekend and set them up nicely for the second leg of their finely-balanced UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Going for glory
Hot on the heels of last week's 1-1 first-leg draw, Schalke travelled to face Mönchengladbach and, despite falling behind to a 38th-minute penalty, roared back with a hat-trick from Ailton. The Brazilian striker now has high hopes that the Ruhr side can push on for glory in three competitions.

Aiming high
"German champions, German Cup winners and UEFA Cup winners - I'd like to win them all this season," said Ailton, who scored in the first leg. Shakhtar are the first obstacle with Hannover 96 their next opponents in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals.

Coach focused
Coach Ralf Rangnick, however, is only concerned about Thursday's contest for now, saying: "We have to focus on Donetsk. They are outstandingly strong and will be one of the toughest teams we play this season, but we are in good shape and have a great chance of getting through."

Lincoln's in
Brazilian playmaker Lincoln has recovered from a muscle injury while Rangnick also hopes to have defender Marcelo Bordon (hamstring) available, although Dutch right-back Niels Oude-Kamphuis is doubtful because of muscular problems.

'Good form'
Ailton's prolific nature is not lost on Shakhtar's Mariusz Lewandowski, who has been training twice a day with his team-mates at the club's Kirsha base. "Almost all of their players are in good form and have lots of experience thanks to participating in the Bundesliga," the defender said.

'Golden opportunities'
"The most dangerous of their players is Ailton, who scores lot of goals. Shakhtar can prevail only if we improve in converting our scoring chances. We could have won in Donetsk, but missed many golden opportunities."