Manchester United vs Schalke Preview

Manchester United face a simple task against Schalke in the Champions League if last week's first leg is anything to go by. In fact, some have said that the Manchester United vs Schalke tie is the worst Champions League semi-final of all time.

This is entirely down to Schalke's complete and utter inability make an impact on Man United (4/9 to beat Schalke) last week when they had home advantage. To say Man United dominated is a huge understatement. They controlled every aspect of the game from start to finish.

However, there are sound reasons for believing that the Man Utd vs Schalke match is not over and done with already. StanJames.com certainly do not think that is the case, as they are offering top price on Man United (offer valid on match day from 9 am, UK time).

For a start, Man United have become some kind of Jekyl and Hyde team over the past few months.

They were, frankly, pretty poor when they were beaten by Arsenal in the Premier League over the weekend. Just as Man United dominated Schalke, Arsenal bossed Man United who rarely looked a threat.

On top of that, whatever Sir Alex Ferguson might say, it is difficult to say that the current Man United team is a vintage side. They have started to leak goals lately, and whereas in the past if Man United conceded we might have expected them to simply go to the other end and score more than the opposition, it is difficult to be confident that the current team are capable of doing that, especially in an occasion such as a Champions League semi-final second leg.

We should not forget that Schalke (7/1 to beat Man United) have hardly been lucky on their way to the semi-final. They fully deserve their place having beaten reigning champions Inter Milan in the quarter-finals by an aggregate of 7 - 3. Any team capable of scoring 7 goals versus Inter Milan cannot be dismissed easily, even allowing for the ease of Man United's win against them last week. After all, everybody is entitled to an off day.

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Real Madrid, Schalke complete routs to reach Champions League semifinals

LONDON — Real Madrid and Schalke easily avoided any miraculous comebacks in the Champions League quarter-finals Wednesday, following up their massive first-leg victories with more modest wins to advance to the last four.

Schalke beat defending champion Inter Milan 2-1 at home, advancing 7-3 on aggregate following its stunning victory last week in Italy.

Madrid never looked likely to give up its 4-0 advantage over Tottenham from the first leg, and a second-half howler from Spurs goalkeeper Huerelho Gomes allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to score the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Spanish club at White Hart Lane.

Madrid will face archrival Barcelona in the semifinals, while Schalke takes on Manchester United.

While United is heavily favoured against the German club, the matchup of the two Spanish powers is far more intriguing. It also sets up four "clasico" matches in 18 days, with Madrid and Barcelona also squaring off in the league and Copa del Rey final.

"Let's see what happens," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. "A semi is a semi and anything can happen."

While Inter may have held out faint hope of overturning its deficit, Raul Gonzalez all but snuffed it out when he gave Schalke the lead in the 44th minute, leaving the Italians needing five goals to advance. While Thiago Motta equalized for Inter in the 49th, Benedikt Hoewedes completed the surprising rout by netting the winner in the 81st as Schalke reached its first Champions League semifinal.

"What can you say, we really won it last week," Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick said. "We defended very well tonight, we allowed maybe two chances. We could have won (bigger) again if you count all the chances."

At White Hart Lane, Madrid soaked up early pressure from Tottenham, which had a goal disallowed for offside and a penalty appeal waved off in the first half.

Ronaldo then deflated the hosts when he sent a swerving shot from nearly 30 yards that went straight at Gomes, who fumbled a routine catch and watched the ball go over his shoulder before bouncing slowly over the line.

The mistake was so glaring that even Madrid goalkeeper Ikar Casillas just sadly shook his head in sympathy rather than celebrate the goal.

It was Ronaldo's 40th goal of the season, and left Tottenham playing only to salvage some pride.

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