After Barcelona went through last night the football world is relishing the prospect of a mouth-watering clash in the final with Manchester United, but before Sir Alex’s men can prepare for Wembley they must get past Schalke 04 at Old Trafford tonight.
With a 2-0 lead from the first leg in Germany and one of the best performances that United have produced this season, people can be forgiven for saying this tie is already a done deal. But Schalke Null Vier will show “no fear” knowing they have nothing to lose with a massive prize at stake.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s heroics stopped it being a rout in Gelsenkirchen, but the German side must remember the five goals they scored against Inter at the San Siro in the quarter final.
Ralf Rangnick’s team have hardly had the best preparation though. Five non-EU passport holders, including energetic midfielder Jefferson Farfan, have had problems getting Visas ahead of the game which delayed their trip to Manchester.
England is hardly a happy hunting ground at the best of times. Despite good European away form this season, Schalke have not won on English soil and they go to Old Trafford where United have enjoyed outstanding home form in all competitions.
The German outfit will take heart from the absence of Wayne Rooney on the team sheet though. One of the best players on the pitch in the last leg, he is expected to be rested following a hamstring injury as Sir Alex Ferguson has one eye on the Premier League showdown with Chelsea on Sunday following their defeat to Arsenal last weekend.
Domestic affairs could have an impact on the way the game is fought. With United now in a battle for the league title, the fact they take a two goal advantage into tonight’s game should mean Rooney is not the only change.
Meanwhile, after a 4-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, Schalke are down to tenth place in the Bundesliga and defeat tonight will effectively end their season.
They will have to change their tactics and their history in England to cause an improbable upset, but the prize on the other side is massive.