Can not get the expected result in the first match of Galatasaray are looking for the path to the quarter-final in Gelsenkirchen against Schalke 04.
Gelsenkirchen, Mar 11: Galatasaray midfielder Hamit Altintop returns to familiar grounds when he faces former club Schalke for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie in Gelsenkirchen.
The German side have an away goals advantage after coming back to draw 1-1 in the first leg in Insanbul, but Galatasaray will be hoping to continue their impressive record away from home and complete a hat-trick of wins. However, Schalke have lost just twice in 16 home games since 2010-11, while Galatasaray have an impressive record on their travels which reads W9 D6 L2 since 2008. Schalke reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2011 while Galatasaray reached the last eight back in 2001.
The Bundeliga side have been rocked following the injury to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was stretchered off against Borussia Dortmund after colliding with his own keeper on Saturday. Jermiane Jones is suspended and manager Jens Keller will have to deal with the injury list of Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Ibrahim Afellay and Ciprian Marica. Teemy Pukki is likely to replace Huntelaar upfront while Marco Hoger will be in for suspended Jones.
Meanwhile, Didier Drogba could return to the starting line-up after being benched in the 1-0 loss to Genclerbirligi. Tomas Ujfalusi is out injured with Sabri Sarioglu or Emmanuel Eboue to fit in at right back.
Galatasaray must either clinch a draw or win in the Veltins Arena in order to progress, but they know that they face a tough task against one of just three unbeaten sides in this year’s competition.
The Turks can, of course, call upon the services of recent recruit and 2011-12 Champions League winner Didier Drogba in their quest for glory, along with 2009-10 champion Wesley Sneijder. Two of the side’s three European wins this season have also come away from home.
Schalke last made the quarterfinal stage in 2010-11, when they reached the semifinal. For Galatasaray, it would be a first visit since the 2000-01 season.
Schalke vs Galatasaray match notes
*Schalke have won their last three games and remain unbeaten in the Champions League this season.
*Galatasaray won two away games against CFR Cluj and Braga this campaign.
Key Battle: Michel Bastos vs. Sabri Sarioglu
Brazilian winger Michel Bastos has made an immediate impact since arriving at Schalkein January and, in the absence of striker Huntelaar, will have to take on an even greater responsibility against Galatasaray.
Turkey right-back Sabri was included above Emmanuel Eboue for the first-leg encounter and will likely be chosen again for the role since he managed to subdueBastos.
With three goals in his first six league games since arriving in Germany, Bastos will need to be closely monitored throughout. If not, it could be a long night for both Sabriand his Galatasaray colleagues.
Schalke vs Galatasaray Probable Lineups
Location: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Time: Tuesday 12 March, 19.45 GMT
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Aggregate Score: 1-1
Schalke (4-2-3-1): Hildebrand-Uchida, Howedes, Matip, Kolasinac-Neustadter, Hoger-Farfan, Draxler, Bastos-Pukki
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Muslera-Sabri, Semih, Nounkeu, Riera-Hamit, Melo, Selcuk-Sneijder-Burak, Drogba
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