Ibra boosts Man U hopes
Schalke seek miracle comeback, Red Devils crave Europa League silverware
SCHALKE midfielder Leon Goretzka hopes home fans can help carry his team into the last four of the Europa League tonight while Manchester United, Celta Vigo and Lyon are in control of the other quarter-finals.
Ajax hold a 2-0 lead over Schalke before the second leg in Germany while Lyon lead Besiktas 2-1 going to Turkey and Celta Vigo defend a 3-2 advantage at Genk. United host Anderlecht after a 1-1 draw in Belgium.
Schalke, Uefa Cup winners in 1997, are lucky still to be alive in their tie following a dismal perf o r mance in Amsterdam.
“Before the first leg we said that we wanted to secure a good position,” Goretzka told the club homepage. “We have completely failed in that.
“Now we can only set about improving that as our goal for completing the miracle comeback. Ajax have a young team. And when our fans create an atmosphere in the stadium and the buzz carries to the team, there can be something which overwhelms Ajax.
“We will hope for this and show from the first seconds that we haven’t given up yet.”
Schalke have endured a bitterly disappointing season since the appointment of coach Markus Weinzierl last summer. They are 11th in the Bundesliga, could yet get drawn into the relegation battle, and are relying on the Europa League to salvage their campaign.
Ajax, winners of nament in 1992, are in considerably better mood as they remain hot on the heels of domestic league leaders Feyenoord.
In England, Manchester United hope to complete their collection of European trophies at the Stockholm final in May – which would also guarantee a spot in next season’s Champions League.
José Mourinho’s team are fifth in the Premier League, four points behind local rivals Manchester City in the final qualifying spot, albeit with a game in hand. Swedish star striker Zlatan I b r a hi movic,
is likely to be r e c a l l e d for today’s match as he played just eight minutes as a substitute in the weekend win over Chelsea. His return will mean Marcus Rashford moves to the wing. Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are among the United players who will miss out through injury.
Celta have no new injury problems from the first leg with Genk having been able to play a second-string side against Granada on Sunday and still run out comfortable winners.
“This is a historic game for us. We have to believe that we can put Celta in the semifinals,” said coach Eduardo Berizzo
Lyon return to action in Besiktas defending their narrow lead after being involved in a controversial Ligue 1 game at the weekend. Their match at Bastia was abandoned when fans of the Corsican side invaded the pitch and attacked players from the opposition.
pictured,
Backs: Dan Biggar (WAL), Elliot Daly (ENG), Jonathan Davies (WAL), Owen Farrell (ENG), Leigh Halfpenny (WAL), Robbie Henshaw (IRE), Stuart Hogg (SCO), Jonathan Joseph (ENG), Conor Murray (IRE), George North (WAL), Jack Nowell (ENG), Jared Payne (IRE), Jonathan Sexton (IRE), Tommy Seymour (SCO), Ben Te’o (ENG), Anthony Watson (ENG), Rhys Webb (WAL), Liam Williams (WAL), Ben Youngs (ENG). Forwards: Rory Best (IRE), Dan Cole (ENG), Taulupe Faletau (WAL), Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Jamie George (ENG), Iain Henderson (IRE), Maro Itoje (ENG), Alun Wyn Jones (WAL), George Kruis (ENG), Courtney Lawes (ENG), Joe Marler (ENG), Jack McGrath (IRE), Ross Moriarty (WAL), Sean O’Brien (IRE), Peter O’Mahony (IRE), Ken Owens (WAL), Kyle Sinckler (ENG), CJ Stander (IRE), Justin Tipuric (WAL), Mako Vunipola (ENG), Billy Vunipola (ENG), Sam Warburton (WAL, captain, pictured) Picture: Reuters