He’s not the only striker struggling at the moment. Since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has struggled to recover his form from the first half of the season. The team’s three goals in 2015 have come from defenders and midfielders. Personnel concerns don’t make the challenge any easier: Di Matteo is without six injured players and substitute goalkeeper Fabian Giefer is unlikely to be back in goal. 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther will therefore stand between the sticks against Real.
Ballon d’or winner Ronaldo is also having issues in front of goal; he hasn’t scored in four league games and Spanish newspaper Marca thinks he’s “in the poorest form since 2009.” World Champion Toni Kroos warned his teammates: "It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
Schalke’s defensive style has even impressed the Champions League title holders. “It is an Italian manager’s style,” said Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the last sixteen encounter between the defending champions Real Madrid and underdogs Schalke 04. “I’m Italian and we have won a lot using that system.”
Ancelotti knows exactly what to expect from the first leg in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday (20.45 CET) as his compatriot Roberto Di Matteo has established a defensive style of play at Schalke, one which the Real Madrid coach has used himself. The Royal Blues have only conceded twice in the first four games of 2015 but on paper they have no chance against the record European champions. They rely on their manager’s defensive tactics.
Schalke’s seven clean sheets
"If we defend in a compact manner, we will make life difficult for any team in the world,” declared Germany international Sidney Sam. “We are incredibly solid at the back, which is a really good base to build from,” added captain Benedikt Höwedes. Di Matteo’s Schalke have already kept seven clean sheets. Even though the defensive wall crumbled slightly last Saturday in the 1-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, the Royal Blues still have confidence in Di Matteo’s tactics.
They experienced a year ago what it’s like when things don’t go to plan against Cristiano Ronaldo and co. The team, then under the guidance of Jens Keller, suffered a 6-1 defeat at home. Höwedes admitted to Sport Bild that the team was “too naïve” and “collapsed after the first counterattack. We were completely overrun after that.”
Di Matteo has already proved that his tactics work at the highest level: His 2012 Champions League triumph with Chelsea not only saw him thwart Bayern München in the final but also, beat Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona en route. Ancelotti also had recent success using the same style of play: In last year’s semi-final against FC Bayern, Real Madrid’s stars impressed with their compact defence and lightning quick counterattacks.
Schalke’s attack boosted by Huntelaar’s return
Schalke’s attack will be boosted by Huntelaar’s return when they line up against Real Madrid on Wednesday. The striker, who still has a one game ban remaining in the Bundesliga, has recovered from illness. "He is one of those players that can have very few chances but still score,” said midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. The Dutch international scored three goals in the group stages; however, he hasn’t scored since 29th November.
He’s not the only striker struggling at the moment. Since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has struggled to recover his form from the first half of the season. The team’s three goals in 2015 have come from defenders and midfielders. Personnel concerns don’t make the challenge any easier: Di Matteo is without six injured players and substitute goalkeeper Fabian Giefer is unlikely to be back in goal. 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther will therefore stand between the sticks against Real.
Ballon d’or winner Ronaldo is also having issues in front of goal; he hasn’t scored in four league games and Spanish newspaper Marca thinks he’s “in the poorest form since 2009.” World Champion Toni Kroos warned his teammates: "It’s not going to be a walk in the park.”
