In a game that City do not need to win it is important that they put in a good display as they need to keep their confidence up in order to be ready for the derby on Sunday.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Hughes Talks about our European campaign: ‘We’re young in European experience both as a team and a club, and this will help us develop on both fronts. We`re still in the early stages, we have ambitions to better but we have fantastic and ambitious owners.
‘Big European nights are something we want to experience on a regular basis, so anything we can take from this year’s UEFA Cup campaign can help us in that respect. We want to see if we can go all the way this year because the ambition of the club is huge now,’
FC Schalke 04 Team News:
Schalke’s Peter Lovenkrands (unfit), Albert Streit (thigh) and Mladen Krstajic (bacterial infection) are all doubtful for the game.
Player to watch: Kevin Kuranyi
The former German international can be a real handful up front with his pace and power although his finishing has not been that great of late.
Manchester City FC Team News:
City are without their Brazilian talisman Robinho after he picked up an ankle injury in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Arsenal.
Full-back Pablo Zabaleta and midfielder Gelson Fernandes are also sidelined through injury.
Brazilian schemer Elano has not travelled to Germany as his wife has just given birth, but striker Jo could return after injury.
Player to watch: Stevie Ireland
Ireland is Superman is very richly deserved for the young irishman who has been a real strength for the City midfield and is finding the back of the net regularly as well.
Match Facts & Stats
The last time the two teams met City won over two legs but lost one nil at Schalke; but beat them at Maine Road five one in April in the semi finals of the Cup Winners Cup in the 1969/70 season when we eventually went on to win the cup against Gornik Zabrze.
Ref Watch:
Alexandru Tudor – a Roumanian referee – has had little experience at high level matches.
Match Prediction:
Schalke will prove to be a difficult test for City; but I feel that we can match them and a think a low scoring draw. FC Schalke 04 1 – 1 MCFC.
Next Fixtures:
Manchester United at the City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday 30th November with a 1:30pm kick off on Sky Sports.