The French champions, Montpellier takes on a Schalke side that is trying to recover from an unnecessary draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf.
Schalke’s general manager Horst Heldt was furious on Friday. He blamed just about everyone including the bus driver for the events of that evening. Schalke was playing newly promoted Düsseldorf, the only team which had not conceded a goal in all of Europe’s best leagues coming into the match. The Royal Blues however soon put that run to an end and rushed into a 0-2 lead.
Schalke wasted numerous chances to add to that lead and eventually paid the price. Two unexpected goals from the increasingly good Danni Schahin saw Schalke pegged back to 2-2. Heldt later said that the draw ‘felt like a 5-0 defeat’. As far as the standings are concerned, Schalke lost further ground on Bayern who beat Bremen 0-2.
Montpellier was even more wasteful than Schalke was against Düsseldorf on the opening day of the Champions League. They took the lead via a stylish penalty by Younes Belhanda against Arsenal but conceded two goals in two minutes to fall behind. They were opened up much too easily for their coach’s liking in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, the French side emerged seemingly hungrier and pushed Arsenal further and further back. Arsenal could not find a way to goal as Montpellier dominated the proceedings. However, they were extremely wasteful. Perhaps, Schalke would have taken a bulk of those chances and confined Arsenal to defeat. The Montpellier players surely know that they missed a huge opportunity to win on Match-day One.
Schalke on their home turf is a beast. So far, every team that has arrived at the Arena Auf Schalke has left without a win with the exception of one of the best teams in Europe, if not the best one, Bayern München. Schalke’s play is similar to Montpellier. They play with more flair than the French side does though and are more solid at the back. Schalke will be hungry for the win after the ‘Düsseldorf disaster’.
On the opening day of the Champions League, Schalke picked up their first opening day win in history. They put paid to Olympiakos. Schalke won 1-2 but should have added a third. Wastefulness resulted in the match being closer than it should have been. Schalke of-course missed a penalty like their German counterparts, Bayern and Dortmund. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was the guilty player.
Schalke has won all their three home games against French opposition in the history of this competition. They were semi-finalists when they were previously involved in this competition. They are perhaps a more rounded team this time around than they were in the 2010-11 season. Expect the likes of Julian Draxler, Tranquillo Barnetta, Lewis Holtby, Jefferson Farfan and the intimidating Klaas Jan Huntelaar to challenge the Montpellier back-line endlessly.
At the other end, Benedikt Höwedes and co really needs to keep their concentration to prevent Montpellier from hassling them endlessly. Arsenal limited Montpellier to shots from distance in the first half and Schalke can perhaps do the same. The Schalke players must keep their focus and not allow the events of Friday evening to be repeated.
Prediction: Schalke 2-1 Montpellier
Schalke wasted numerous chances to add to that lead and eventually paid the price. Two unexpected goals from the increasingly good Danni Schahin saw Schalke pegged back to 2-2. Heldt later said that the draw ‘felt like a 5-0 defeat’. As far as the standings are concerned, Schalke lost further ground on Bayern who beat Bremen 0-2.
Montpellier was even more wasteful than Schalke was against Düsseldorf on the opening day of the Champions League. They took the lead via a stylish penalty by Younes Belhanda against Arsenal but conceded two goals in two minutes to fall behind. They were opened up much too easily for their coach’s liking in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, the French side emerged seemingly hungrier and pushed Arsenal further and further back. Arsenal could not find a way to goal as Montpellier dominated the proceedings. However, they were extremely wasteful. Perhaps, Schalke would have taken a bulk of those chances and confined Arsenal to defeat. The Montpellier players surely know that they missed a huge opportunity to win on Match-day One.
Schalke on their home turf is a beast. So far, every team that has arrived at the Arena Auf Schalke has left without a win with the exception of one of the best teams in Europe, if not the best one, Bayern München. Schalke’s play is similar to Montpellier. They play with more flair than the French side does though and are more solid at the back. Schalke will be hungry for the win after the ‘Düsseldorf disaster’.
On the opening day of the Champions League, Schalke picked up their first opening day win in history. They put paid to Olympiakos. Schalke won 1-2 but should have added a third. Wastefulness resulted in the match being closer than it should have been. Schalke of-course missed a penalty like their German counterparts, Bayern and Dortmund. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was the guilty player.
Schalke has won all their three home games against French opposition in the history of this competition. They were semi-finalists when they were previously involved in this competition. They are perhaps a more rounded team this time around than they were in the 2010-11 season. Expect the likes of Julian Draxler, Tranquillo Barnetta, Lewis Holtby, Jefferson Farfan and the intimidating Klaas Jan Huntelaar to challenge the Montpellier back-line endlessly.
At the other end, Benedikt Höwedes and co really needs to keep their concentration to prevent Montpellier from hassling them endlessly. Arsenal limited Montpellier to shots from distance in the first half and Schalke can perhaps do the same. The Schalke players must keep their focus and not allow the events of Friday evening to be repeated.
Prediction: Schalke 2-1 Montpellier
