Levski look for miracle at Schalke
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Article summary
PFC Levski Sofia coach Stanimir Stoilov is promising all-out attack from the Bulgarian side as they bid to overturn a 3-1 deficit away to FC Schalke 04.
Article body
PFC Levski Sofia coach Stanimir Stoilov is promising all-out attack as the Bulgarian side look for a "miracle" to resurrect their UEFA Cup hopes by overcoming a first-leg deficit against FC Schalke 04 in Gelsenkirchen.
Attacking lineup
Schalke recovered from conceding an early Daniel Borimirov goal to win 3-1 at the Vassil Levski stadium last week, leaving Stoilov with little option but to go in with all guns blazing. With Levski needing to match or better Schalke's haul of three away goals to turn the tie, Stoilov will start with a three-man attack of Emil Angelov, Valeri Domovchiyski and Milan Koprivarov.
'Miracle wanted'
"We must try to produce a miracle," he admitted. "The first-leg result is very bad for us, but we are not travelling to Germany as a beaten team. We have nothing to lose and we have had a wonderful UEFA Cup campaign so far." Teenage striker Nikolay Dimitrov may also get his chance.
Duo missing
However, the coach is without the services of suspended forward Cédric Bardon and midfielder Richard Eromoigbe, who has a thigh strain. In addition, captain Elin Topuzakov and midfielder Dimitar Telkiyski are carrying knocks after Sunday's 1-0 derby win at PFC CSKA Sofia but are expected to be declared fit.
No complacency
Schalke coach Mirko Slomka, meanwhile, is taking nothing for granted, despite his side's comfortable lead. "We will by no means make the mistake of underestimating Levski. We will be fully concentrated and want another strong performance to reach the semi-finals," said Slomka, who insisted he would field his strongest XI and not use the occasion to rest players, following Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by Hamburger SV. Striker Gerald Asamoah added: "We will make complete fools of ourselves if we fail to take advantage of the first-leg scoreline."
Rafinha returns
Schalke defender Rafinha is back from suspension, but German international Fabian Ernst serves a one-match ban and midfielder Gustavo Varela misses out having returned to Uruguay following the death of his mother. Moreover, Serbo-Montenegrin international Mladen Krstajić faces a fitness test on a muscle problem.
