Domenico Tedesco: Prepared for the volume levels in Istanbul

Schalke’s head coach is well aware that more than just a team boasting a strong home record awaits; his team will witness a very special atmosphere. Galatasaray’s supporters are among the loudest fans in the world. „It is something special, something extraordinary, but something we have prepared ourselves for,“ reported Tedesco. The 33-year-old had something up his sleeve for the Royal Blues’ final training session in Germany before departing for Istanbul: „During the training session we had soundbites from Galatasaray’s last home game playing through the VELTINS Arena’s sound system, in order to give the players a taste of what to expect,“ he revealed at Tuesday’s press conference.

Old acquaintances from the Bundesliga

The players have also carefully examined their next opponent’s style of play. „Galatasaray’s team is full of good individuals that pose a huge threat on the pitch,“ said the head coach: „Garry Rodrigues, for example, offers a lot of pace down the left wing, plus Younes Belhanda and Eren Derdiyok, who we all still know very well from their time in the Bundesliga.“

Tedesco went on to praise the Turkish champion’s head coach, Fatih Terim as well. „I’m looking forward to getting to know him. I followed his progress as a kid and a teenager and I was always very impressed by his work.“

S04 without Fährmann and Naldo

The Knappen will have to make do without two important players against the Turkish Süper Lig leaders: Ralf Fährmann, who pulled out of the warm up ahead of Saturday’s game against Werder Bremen, will miss the Champions League clash as well with a muscle injury. The Schalke captain will be replaced between the sticks by Alexander Nübel again, as was the case on Saturday. Yannic Lenze of the U19s is available as back up on the bench.

Naldo will also be unavailable: The Brazilian centre back has an infection and did not travel with the team to Turkey. „The two absentees obviously hurt the squad, but we have the quality to compensate for it. Even without Ralle and Naldo our team has a lot of experienced players,“ exclaimed Tedesco, who did not reveal who would be wearing the captain’s armband. Three leading players in the shape of Guido Burgstaller, Daniel Caligiuri and Benjamin Stambouli are available.