Schalke will have third-choice goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther in goal when they host Real Madrid in a repeat of last term’s round-of-16 tie.
Wednesday night’s encounter have come fast and thick for 24-year-old Germany international Fabian Giefer, who only returned to light training on Sunday after an abductor muscle injury.
Wellenreuther could have argued he was just the last link in a long chain of errors leading to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Lukas Piazon’s goal at the weekend, as the cross that led to the header by the Chelsea loanee was deflected wide by Christian Fuchs beyond the onrushing 19-year-old rookie only for Joel Matip to aid it on to the opponent- resulting in the Royal Blues’ first defeat since the 2-1 home loss to Cologne in December.
The German was simply exonerated by manager Roberto Di Matteo, who has clarified that second-choice goalkeeper “Giefer is not in the squad” for the Los Merengues. It implies Wellenreuther will take his Uefa Champions League bow against the star-studded champions.
Hence, all attention shifts to averting another disaster in Gelsenkirchen. Reigning Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all scored twice as Real strolled to a 6-1 win over Schalke in this fixture 12 months ago.
The Spanish side went on to triumph 9-2 on aggregate after winning 3-1 at the Estadio Bernebeu. Madrid also won 4-0 at the home of then-holders Bayern Munich in the last 4, although lost 2-0 at Dortmund in the quarter-final, en route to a tenth European title.
Much has changed since then with a new man- a one-time winner- at the helm of the Veltins-Arena and either of the managers has ruled out chances of another high-scoring encounter.
Real rebounded from their derby humiliation by neighbours Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna and Carlo Ancelotti will be relieved to have Marcelo back in his team after his initial injury concerns following the win at the Bernebeu. Pepe is also available for selection and could partner Rafael Varane in central defence.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar returns from a domestic ban and is set for his first game since the 1-0 win over Hannover 96 on resumption of the German top flight on 31 January.
On the injury front, Schalke have first choice goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann out with a knee injury. Midfielder Julian Draxler (hamstring), Farfan (knee) forward Chinedu Obasi, Sead Kolasinac (knee) and Leon Goretzka (hamstring) are unavailable for selection.
Luka Modric has not yet returned from a thigh injury and James Rodriguez (right foot), Sami Khedira (hamstring) and Sergio Ramos (hamstring) are sidelined.
Possible lineups
Schalke: Wellenreuther; Hoewedes, Matip, Nastasic; Uchida, Fuchs, Kirchoff, Hoger, Boateng; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar.
Real: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo; Lucas Silva, Kroos, Isc; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
