Champions League Semi Finals, First Leg

Its almost rote now but Real Madrid’s rejects will do well in their new clubs. Raul and Rafael Van Der Vaart have followed in the footsteps of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder.
Raul, the all time leading goal scorer at Real leads Schalke against Man Utd in the Champions League semi-finals. The former Merengue is hoping to add to his CL record of 71 goals which is 15 more than second placed Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Only Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have a realistic chance of topping that.
The Premiership team has a poor record against Bundesliga rivals and Schalke are hoping it stays that way.
Schalke has a pacy winger in Jefferson Farfan and a Samir Nasri type midfielder in Jose Manuel Jurado, effective out on the left or in the hole. Jurado’s assists have been instrumental in Raul scoring on a number of occasions. The Spanish midfielder is a product of the storied Real Madrid cantata.
Ralf Ragnick’s side also relies on veteran Edu, who likes to have a go from distance and should test Van Der Sar. The former FC Hoffenheim coach will miss the services of Benedikt Howedes, outstanding at centre back but still recuperating from an ankle injury. He might have to draft two young holding midfielders Joel Matip and Kyriakos Papadopoulos as centre backs to stop Wayne Rooney and Chicharito Hernandez’s progress. Both have stepped up admirably in the face of Schalke’s injury crisis. Ryan Giggs should also come up against Atsuto Uchida, a top rated prospect at right back.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar whose Real and Milan stints were underwhelming has revived his career at Schalke. Ralf Ragnick could turned to him for minutes but he’s currently out with an injury. This could also be a big evening for Manuel Neuer, outstanding in the 2010 World Cup and surely on Sir Alex’s radar along with Atletico Madrid’s David De Gea as possible replacements to Van Der Sar.
Upset on the cards? They might be naive but Schalke have shown some real footballing skills coupled with true grit. A touch of the Teutonic spirit instilled by Felix Magath which has proved unsettling to English sides in the past. Ragnick could continue the fairytale.