Ralf Rangnick believes Schalke's passion and hunger could give them the advantage against Manchester United.
Schalke coach feels inexperience could be beneficial
Ralf Rangnick believes Schalke's passion and hunger could give them the advantage against Manchester United.
The German outfit will welcome the Red Devils to their Veltins Arena home on Tuesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final showdown.
Few give the Bundesliga side much hope against a vastly experienced United side, but they have already sprung a few surprises in this season's competition.
Rangnick believes their success can be put down to a desire to beat the best, and he hopes Schalke will display those same qualities in their meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's European heavyweights.
"Sir Alex Ferguson has more experience and has won many more trophies," he observed.
"Manchester United do have a very experienced team, on average three to four years older than ours.
"But maybe the fact we are more inexperienced means we are a really hungry team with more passion.
Benefit
"It is something that makes this match all the more alluring for our team.
"Our players are in this position for the first time, with the exception of Raul, who might be there for the last time.
"We have to show what we can achieve and get the best out of it, so hopefully, this will be a benefit for us."
Schalke will come up against the Champions League's meanest defence in midweek and defender Christoph Metzelder believes the two-legged tie is likely to rest on the finest of margins.
"We have to be realistic," said the Germany international.
"We will not score five against Manchester United.
"They are a very disciplined team, who do not let you have the opportunity to score goals. It will be two very tight games."
