Champions League

I like our chances.

 

I think that first match is on 21 August
https://www.facebook.com/events/390037221096104/

Wish I could go ... But I'll be surely watching it

 

It looks like there will be a disciplinary ruling from UEFA before these fixtures can take place. I'm not sure it will make a huge difference.

 

Kharkiv might even get suspended

 

Kudos on the proper city name

 

Theoretically, the slot would go to Huub Stevens' PAOK instead of Metalist in case of disciplinary action. This would improve our chances GREATLY in my book.

 

Now being reported that Heldt believes that a suspension would result in our immediate passage to the group stage, but he thinks that it is very unlikely to go that way.

 

Why should they be suspended? ​

 

Accused of match fixing.

 

I believe the allegations are from 2007. A new FIFA rule allowed UEFA to go back and review old cases. I'm also pretty sure that I read that one court already found them guilty. The court reviewing the case is already the UEFA appeals court, so the decision cant be appealed within UEFA. I really dont know what to expect.

 

Charkiw is the German transliteration.

I hope we win. There are quite a few unwelcome memories for this kind of opponent. Sparta Prag. Nancy. Donetsk...

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23695964

Not sure how this^ would happen. CAS has already ruled against them.

 

I think they would be replaced by PAOK.

The first leg is in a week time and needs to be resolved ASAP

 

The CAS has announced that some information will be forthcoming today. They requested statements from UEFA and PAOK (no idea why they are asked).

 

WTH is going on?? Regardless I hope schalke go through, we need all the German teams in the R16 this year

 

Apparently the Supreme Court of Switzerland has ordered the CAS to review the Metalist request once more.

One question, how come Fenerbahce are still playing despite having MULTIPLE game fix and bribery accusations and Metalist are being railroaded for one, that occured in 2007/2008?

 

From what I've heard, Fenerbache is likely to loose their appeal on the 28th, in which case Arsenal would advance to the group stage.

 

The CAS confirmed UEFA's ruling. We will play PAOK.

http://www.schalke04.de/en/news/130814_auschluss-endgueltig/page/472--86-86-.html

 

The Hunter is out for both legs. Not good at all

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...as-jan-huntelaar-champions-league-tie?cc=5901

We could be in trouble against Huub Stevens' new club.

 

This would be a great time to break out my Goretzka-Jones-Neustadter/Kolasinac midfield trio idea and just totally blow Stevens's mind.

 

http://www.bundesliga.com/en/cl/news/2013/0000265763.php

Possible line-ups:

Schalke: Hildebrand - Uchida, Santana, Höwedes, Fuchs - Höger, Jones - Farfan, Draxler, Clemens - Szalai

PAOK: Jacobo - Kitsiou, Katsouranis, Miguel Vitor, Lino - Lazar, Tziolis - Oliseh, Lucas, Stoch - Salpingidis

 

I hope we don't see that lineup again after the mugging they took from Wolfsburg. People may think that Neustadter+Jones is bad but Jones+Hoger seems much worse.

The Kicker v Wolfsburg ratings
http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...tellung_vfl-wolfsburg-24_fc-schalke-04-2.html

 

Looks like Keller will be going with Draxler at LW, and Max Meyer at CAM.

Aufstellung:
Hildebrand -
Uchida , Matip , Höwedes , Fuchs -
Höger , J. Jones -
Farfan , M. Meyer , Draxler -
Szalai

Reservebank:
Fährmann (Tor),Felipe Santana,Hoogland,Clemens,Goretzka,Neustädter,Pukki