2
3
Match - Tue 12 March, 21:45, Veltins Arena
| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 33. Roman Neustadter (18’) | 4. Hamit Altintop (37’) |
| 0. Michel Bastos (63’) | 17. Burak Yilmaz (42’) |
| 19. Umut Bulut (90’) |
Schalke hold slim advantage ahead of second leg
Schalke 04 head into their Champions League second leg last 16 tie with Galatasaray with a slim advantage
Schalke welcome back a familiar face in Hamit Altıntop when Galatasaray visit Gelsenkirchen. Altıntop spent four seasons with Schalke, his home-town club, while team-mates Hakan Balta, Engin Baytar, Ceyhun Gülselam and Furkan Özçal were also born in Germany.
Both clubs have cause for confidence, with Schalke unbeaten at home in this season's UEFA Champions League and Galatasaray looking to complete a hat-trick of away victories in the competition. The Bundesliga club holds an away-goals advantage following the 1-1 first-leg draw.
Schalke have lost just twice in 16 home games in UEFA competition since the start of 2010/11, winning 11 of them. Galatasaray on the other hand are hoping to reach the European Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2001 and fifth time overall.
Schalke's hopes of making the quarterfinals have been dealt a blow following an injury to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was stretchered off against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday with a knee injury. Teemu Pukki should start in his place, with Ciprian Marica out and Raffael cup-tied.
Elsewhere on the pitch for the Royal Blues Kyriakos Papadopoulos remains sidelined, while youngster Sead Kolasinac could start ahead of Christian Fuchs at left-back. Marco Hoger should start in midfield thanks to Jermaine Jones' suspension, but Ibrahim Afellay is still recovering from a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Galatasaray will welcome Didier Drogba back into the starting line-up after the Ivorian started Friday's 1-0 defeat to Genclerbirligi on the bench. Felipe Melo should also slot back into midfield in the place of Yekta Kurtulus, having missed the Turk Telekom Arena reverse though suspension.
Danny Nounkeu should return to the heart of defence ahead of Gokhan Zan, but Tomas Ujfalusi remains injured. Sabri Sarioglu and Emmanuel Eboue will compete for the right-back slot.
Danny Nounkeu should return to the heart of defence ahead of Gokhan Zan, but Tomas Ujfalusi remains injured. Sabri Sarioglu and Emmanuel Eboue will compete for the right-back slot.
{message}