Schalke vs Manchester United

We just don't score much in Europe. 7 in the group stages and 5 in 4 games since then. It'll probably be a desperately boring 0-0 or a 1-1.
 
van der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Anderson
Nani Rooney Park
--
Kuszczak; Brown, O'Shea; Giggs, Valencia; Berbatov, Hernandez​
 
Just watched 01/02 season review.

fecking Leverkusen!

0-1 would be nice please.
 
Apparently we've yet to concede on the road in Europe this season.

Be interesting to see whether SAF really goes for it in Germany.
 
van der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Anderson
Nani Rooney Park
--
Kuszczak; Brown, O'Shea; Giggs, Valencia; Berbatov, Hernandez​

I like that team. But that won't be the one he plays. He rested Giggs, & Park which should give you a clue.

He won't play Anderson for 2 games in a row so soon from injury - Anderson played the full 90 mins! So Giggs & Park due to come in.

Van Der Sar

Raf Ferdinand Vidic Evra

Park Carrick Giggs

Nani Hernandez Rooney

Leaves Fletcher, Anderson, Fabio, Valencia fresh for the Arsenal game & gives us more options for Schalke at home if need be!
 
----------VDS------------
Rafael--Rio--Vidic--Evra
----- Carrick-Scholes -----
Valencia---Rooney---Nani
---------Hernandez--------

I would like to see that line up, but I'd be slightly worried about players running through our midfield.
 
Giggs will be sure to start imo. think Scholes will be on the bench. Park and Carrick will be the others in midfield.

Nani Rooney and Hernandez will be the top three.

O'Shea Rio Vidc Evra at the back. No sure if Rafael will start.
 
1a52.jpg


Having visited this stadium before, have to say it's stunning!
 
1a52.jpg


Having visited this stadium before, have to say it's stunning!

I don't like all that stuff going on with the roof. All those wires etc.

I don't really see what the point of a roofed football stadium is, other than to benefit other events such as concerts, but from a fans perspective I don't really get the 'U2 could play his stadium and not get wet!!" as a 'wow-factor'.
 
----------VDS------------
Fabio--Rio--Vidic--Evra
----- Carrick-Scholes -----
Valencia---Rooney---Park
---------Hernandez--------

I'd go with that, Nani hasn't been in great form recently and I think we can afford to give him a rest in this game. We don't really need to win, a 0-0 or a score draw would do nicely. I think Park is crucial for us in these sorts of games so he needs to play.

Fabio has done excellent for us recently too so with O' Shea looking doubtful (Or has he been ruled out), I'd throw him in and give him a chance.
 
0-0 would be far too dangerous at this stage. I can't believe people would even entertain the idea of resting players, this the CL Semi ffs we worked all season to get to this point.
 
Schalke lost 1-0 in the league yesterday. But I am guessing they rested all their players plus their league form has been irrelevant when it comes to the UCL anyways.
 
Code:
                van der Sar

  Rafael    Ferdinand    Vidic    Evra

      Carrick    Anderson    Park
Nani                                 Giggs
                  Rooney

SUBS:
Kuszczak, O'Shea, Smalling, Scholes, Valencia, Hernandez, Berbatov
 
----------VDS------------
Fabio--Rio--Vidic--Evra
----- Carrick-Scholes -----
Valencia---Rooney---Park
---------Hernandez--------

I'd go with that, Nani hasn't been in great form recently and I think we can afford to give him a rest in this game. We don't really need to win, a 0-0 or a score draw would do nicely. I think Park is crucial for us in these sorts of games so he needs to play.

Fabio has done excellent for us recently too so with O' Shea looking doubtful (Or has he been ruled out), I'd throw him in and give him a chance.

Scholes? And no Giggs.
 
They will come at us - they want to take an advantage. We can score against them - we can take them like we took Chelsea at the Bridge.
 
Update: Referee is Carlos Valesco Carballo - the same chap who reffed our home win vs Marseille this year.
 
if i was the keeper i´d spend most of the match trying to hit that box thing hanging down when i was kicking the ball upfield.

from schalke1904 in the newbies.....

This is what most goalkeepers did a few years ago, everytime they played in our stadium.. the wanted to be the first to hit it..

The first one who hit our video cube while being in a match was Oliver Kahn 2003.

Since that they don't try to hit it anymore^^
 
We'll knicks one towards the end and grab the three points.
 
I have a sneeky feeling Berbatov will play due to his German football experience and us needing to play long balls. Anderson earned his place from the Everton and City games. Nani will prove to be a gamble as he tends to lose possession a lot and we dont need that in European away games. Park will be favoured over Valencia due to his form in Europe for us.

................VDS...................
Rafael.......Vidic.....Rio......Evra
..............Carrick..................
Park..Anderson..Giggs..Rooney
.............Berbatov...............
 
I like that team. But that won't be the one he plays. He rested Giggs, & Park which should give you a clue.

He won't play Anderson for 2 games in a row so soon from injury - Anderson played the full 90 mins! So Giggs & Park due to come in.

Van Der Sar

Raf Ferdinand Vidic Evra

Park Carrick Giggs

Nani Hernandez Rooney

Leaves Fletcher, Anderson, Fabio, Valencia fresh for the Arsenal game & gives us more options for Schalke at home if need be!
Yeah, I was thinking Giggs. I'm not sure if he'd start Giggs and Scholes together, but they should both be pretty fresh I guess. If Giggs is wide left and Park plays in the middle, with Anderson on the bench, then yes. I'd like to see that.

I just think we should make use of playing Scholes in the two Champions League games, as he's banned in the Premier League. It gives us a chance to give certain players who will be required to play central midfield against Arsenal and Chelsea a rest - without weakening the squad because, well, it's Paul Scholes coming in!

van der Sar
Rafael Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes
Nani Park Giggs
Rooney
--
Kuszczak; Brown, Evans; Anderson, Valencia; Berbatov, Hernandez​

Probably something more like that. I just remembered O'Shea went off injured against Everton, but I'm not sure how serious it is, as to whether it keeps him out. Evans had a decent game so he will probably make the bench if Smalling is still suffering. Brown / Fábio will be on the bench for full back cover (if O'Shea is out).

If we get a lead, we can bring on Anderson to get more graft in midfield, or if we need to go for a goal, we've got the threat of Valencia, Hernandez, and Berbatov on the bench. Ideal subs would be Anderson for Park/Giggs and Valencia for Nani. Hernandez for a midfielder if we really want to go for it.

Looking forward to this, I think we'll actually win the Away leg.
 
Got a Spanish ref for this. Really? With the other semi containing two Spanish teams?
 
I meant, I think I would actually prefer him not to start away from home.

It might require a more energetic midfield.

I think he'll feature in the last 20 minutes or so. Will certainly start in the return leg.
 
from schalke1904 in the newbies.....

This is what most goalkeepers did a few years ago, everytime they played in our stadium.. the wanted to be the first to hit it..

The first one who hit our video cube while being in a match was Oliver Kahn 2003.

Since that they don't try to hit it anymore^^

I demand some footage! :D
 
At least Rio should be rested after his problems with injuries and as both Vidic and Smalling were not even on the bench today I'd say that's probably the case.

Smalling needed the rest because Rio was being rested so often. It'll be Rio and Vidic.