Aogo and Goretzka ruled out for the final group stage match against Asteras Tripoli. Kolasinac and Hojbjerg are the likely replacements.
Kolasinac is a positive upgrade IMO, and Geis should always be the one taking set pieces when he's in the lineup. Ideally Breitenreiter should rotate in a few of the young guys like Ayhan and rest some starters. But I guess he'll likely go with the usuals since first place in the group is technically still up for grabs with only a 2 point lead over Sparta Prague.
Geis with the best chance so far, nearly curls one off a free kick. ...Ah, the dancing Di Santo. (he learned that at Werder)
Usually takes him a while to adapt to a new club. It wasn't till his second season that he really started scoring regularly.
That was b. e. a. utiful. EMCM running into some great form the past few weeks. very good Ain't nobody got time for that!
Clinical and well executed attack. That should be more than enough, you guys got this one wrapped up. Asteras with some sparse chances here and there but have kept missing sitters.
Told you that Kolasinac really needs to start every game from now on. Sweet assist to Meyer for the final goal. Also props to Augsburg. Resilient display on the comeback victory and advancing to next round!
Not an easy draw for the round of 32, but the fact the away leg will be played in a somewhat neutral location can't hurt. I was at the Arena in 2005 when there was no result to be had in the home leg with Shakhtar.
Crititical factor is whether Shakhtar sell their top scorer, Alex Teixeira this winter. He's been constantly linked to an EPL transfer for quite some time now and rumors continue to heat up. Would favor Schalke a lot if he moves, but otherwise this looks to be a pretty even match up. Interestingly enough Heldt's top priority target now is Dynamo Kiev's Belhanda, who should have plenty of experience playing against Shakhtar in the Ukrainian league.
So Shakhtar's top scorer Alex Teixeira has left for China, while another of their key players Fred is banned for doping. The away match is always tougher but you guys should have a fairly favorable advantage going into this one.
Some nice chances already created early on. Belhanda with perhaps one too many twists on that play before getting that shot off. Sane also very actice but needs to be more clinical in front.
Should have gotten at least one goal, but a scoreless draw on the road isn't that bad of a result. Donbass Arena kind of a difficult environment to play in. Some questionable refereeing in this game though, Matip also with a goal disallowed. Just gotta take care of business at home now in the next leg.
They didn't play in Donetsk but in Lwiw, didn't they? Stadium was pretty full nonetheless. A goal or a win would have been nice but we can live with the draw. I think we should win the home match but I remember a 1:4 drubbing Donetsk gave us a 10 years or so ago.
Goretzka and EMCM are both uncertain for Thursday match after picking up minor injuries. Hojbjerg will likely get the start beside Geis if LeGo is unable to return in time. Good news is that Meyer will be back again.
after going through on away goals vs Gladbach in the Round of 16. they will now will play Ajax in the Quarterfinals. not too bad of a draw for Schalke and they have the potential to make the semis.
Hopefully Ajax leaves themselves exposed to some counters for Schalke; cause I'm not sure if they have the lethality in the final third to put too many past Schalke's defense. Add a LeGo-magic goal for good measure and it's certainly doable if they continue to play their best & have karma on their side in the EL.