12th March, 2013
With Holland striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar out injured after tearing knee ligaments, Schalke 04 have problems up front for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray.
Schalke host Galatasaray in the last 16, second leg tie with a slight advantage after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Istanbul three weeks ago.
But with Huntelaar, last season’s top scorer in the German league, out for several weeks having torn the medial ligament in his left knee, Schalke coach Jens Keller has only limited options up front.
“There’s not much use in complaining, we have to accept things as they are,” said Keller, with neither of his reserve strikers, Teemu Pukki of Finland or Nigeria’s Chinedu Obasi, in form.
Pukki took over after Huntelaar’s injury against Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s 2-1 Bundesliga victory, but failed to make an impact and Peru forward Jefferson Farfan could be moved in from the wing on Tuesday.
“Teemu really worked hard, but he needs more games to find his rhythm again,” said Keller.
Former Hoffenheim forward Obasi has made just three league appearances all season for the Royal Blues, but took part in final training on Monday.
“Obasi is an option,” said Schalke’s director of sport Horst Heldt.