Source: Daily_Mail
Andreas Moller on Schalke
Andreas Moller won a World Cup in 1990 and broke English hearts with the decisive penalty for Germany in the Euro 96 semi-final. [LNB]In a glittering club career he won the 1993 UEFA Cup with Juventus and the 1997 Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, beating Manchester United on the way, before spending three years at Schalke. [LNB]Here, he gives Sportsmail his exclusive assessment of United's opponents.[LNB] Andreas Moller on Manuel Neur: The best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. A reassuring influence on the team. Manchester United watched Neuer, 25, this season but he is more likely to join BayernMunich this summer.[LNB][LNB]This is the biggest game in Schalke's history and all of Germany is behind them, hoping they get to the final. They have a real chance of beating Manchester United.[LNB]There will be 54,000 in the Veltins-Arena and every German who can get a ticket will be singing, screaming and crying for their team. It will be an unbelievable atmosphere in a compact stadium where the stands are so close to the pitch and the players will feel the power of support behind them. The supporters sense this will be a momentous occasion.[LNB]Schalke may be the surprise name in the last four but you have to understand the potential of this side. They have a great mixture of experienced players and talented youngsters, such as Benedikt Howedes and Alexander Baumjohann, who are proud to be playing for Schalke and want to be the ones who take the club to another level. [LNB]This is their moment to show Europe what they can do.[LNB] Andreas Moller on Jose ManuelJurado (left): Signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer, the 24-year-old has a good understanding with Raul. Can be used as a playmaker or on the left. Reads the game well, has good feet and finds excellent passes.[LNB]They may have had an inconsistent season in the Bundesliga but they should not be underestimated. Schalke beat Bayern Munich to reach the German Cup final and have a great chance of winning it against Duisburg next month, and now they are in the Champions League semi-finals. Their up-and-down form in the Bundesliga is because it is not always easy for players to chase three titles but they are going to go close.[LNB]I saw that Sir Alex Ferguson went to watch them against Inter Milan and he will know that his side face a difficult task. Schalke don't make life easy for their opponents. They have pace, power, good conditioning and are very well organised. Their coach Ralf Rangnick is one of the best in Germany.[LNB]We call him 'The Professor' because he seems to know everything there is to know about the game. He only took over at Schalke in March but already he has made a difference. He did an incredible job at Hoffenheim, taking them from a regional division to the Bundesliga in three seasons, and his teams are always well prepared. [LNB]Andreas Moller on Jefferson Farfan (right): A really exciting 26-year-old and one of the best players in the world on current form. He is fast, good technically and is the scorer of crucial goals. Also very important atset pieces.[LNB]He studied Manchester United at Newcastle last Monday and will know all about them. As a tactician, he is extremely good.[LNB]He will keep the first leg defensive although I don't want to give too much away! He will probably play one up front, Raul, with an attacking midfielder behind and make good use ofhis wide players, where Schalke have great quality.[LNB]Raulis a key figure. He turned down United in the summer because he had already given his word to Schalke that he would join them. Why Real Madrid allowed him to leave in the first place I really don't understand.[LNB]He may be 33 but he looks like the young Raul. His fitness and condition seem muchbetter than at Real. He is sharp. He is a leader; always running and fighting for his team and his finishing is still instinctive, outstanding.[LNB]When I wasa player, I was fortunate to be in the Borussia Dortmund side that beatManchester United in the Champions League semi-finals home and away in 1997. It was important then, and is the same today, that we had experienced players such as Matthias Sammer, Stefan Reuter and KarlheinzRiedle who were able to guide the younger players through the occasion. [LNB]Manchester United is a name that everyone in the world identifies with. They are a club who have every possibility. They can buy any player they want and have excellent individual players.[LNB] That can be intimidating but, alongside Raul, Schalke have Manuel Neuer, Christoph Metzelder and Jefferson Farfan all experienced, world-class players who offer great quality, and that will be reassuring for the players around them. And it is amazing that one of the players who will be playing a similar role for United will be Ryan Giggs. I played against him, a young David Beckham and Paul Scholes in that semi-final in 1997.[LNB] What a history Giggs has created. He is one of the greatest players of our generation. He has won everything over 20 years at the very top level and still he can have such influence on a game. He is a player Schalke will have to watch carefully.[LNB] Andreas Moller on Benedikt Howedes: A powerful stopper in the German tradition and good on the floor. He is 23 and has great potential. He was excellent against Inter Milan but has been struggling with an abdominal strain.[LNB]I have not seen a great deal of United this season apart from in the big cup games and I hear they have not been at their best. However, they are top of the Premier League, they are in the Champions League last four once again and do not have too many weaknesses. [LNB]They are still a team to fear, yet the pressure is on them to win rather than on the Germans. Schalke proved they can beat big teams with victory over Inter Milan and they have a 50-50 chance of beating United. If they keep their heads in the first leg all of Germany is hoping the odds can tip in their favour.[LNB] Schalke dare to dream as Gelsenkirchen awaits arrival of favourites UnitedWe are not scared of United! Schalke issue battle cry ahead of Champions League clashRaul: Europe's leading marksman hasn't been to Wembley... yet!The man they call The Professor can stop Ferguson's European dream [LNB] Explore more:People: Paul Scholes, Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs Places: Newcastle, Germany, Europe
