Two weeks after knocking out title holder Inter Milan, an unheralded Schalke are looking to cause another major upset in the Champions League when they play Manchester United in the first leg of the semi-finals Tuesday.
Schalke consider themselves a total underdog against the three-time champions. But the Bundesliga team were also the outsider against Inter and still went through 7-3 on aggregate.
"Manchester United are a household name, just like Inter Milan before," Schalke midfielder Alexander Baumjohann said. "It's a dream of every player to be facing the Reds in a Champions League semi-final.
"Looking at the names, there is hardly any difference between Inter and Man U. The important thing is not to concede at home. Perhaps we can land another upset."
Both teams rested some of their top players over the weekend. United still won, 1-0 over Everton, but Schalke lost 1-0 at home to Kaiserslautern.
While United are closing in on the Premier League title, Schalke have nothing to play for in the Bundesliga, where they are stuck in the middle of the table.
Turbulent weeks
Schalke have managed to reach the semi-finals despite a turbulent few weeks which included the sacking of coach Felix Magath, who was replaced by Ralf Rangnick.
The club were also shaken last week by the decision of goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer not to extend his contract, which still has another season to run. The Germany goalkeeper has not said where he plans to continue his career.
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