Champions League preview: big-spending stars face Schalke test

Schalke’s progress to the last 16 leg of the Champions League is already the highlight of the season for most of their fans and a place in the quarter-finals would only come as a bonus.

The Germans have the away-goal advantage into the home leg against Galatasaray after a 1-1 draw in Istanbul, and that means a victory or a 0-0 draw would earn a ticket to the last eight.

Schalke prepares for the match following a convincing win 2-1 over Borussia Dortmund. The major problem for the Ruhr side is the absence of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who picked up an injury on Saturday and will miss several weeks.

Schalke earned their third straight Bundesliga victory which is the second this term over Borussia. The German outfit are also regarded the favorites as they stay undefeated in front of their own fans in the Champions League this seasons.

Galatasaray will rely on recently signed top stars Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder who have enough experience to change course of the game. The Turkish outfit will welcome Felipe Melo who return into the midfield and Danny Nounkeu that will play in the defense. Galatasaray certainly knows how to play when they do not feel the support of their fans as the side claim two out of three European wins this season on the road - at Cluj and Braga, yet playing against resurgent Schalke is a big challenge even for the Istanbul stars.