| The Round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League brings on Thursday (16.02.2012) the first leg between FC Viktoria Plzeň and FC Schalke 04 at the Stadion města Plzně. The guests from Germany will be favourites in this Europa League meeting. |
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FC Viktoria Plzeň started this European season in the UEFA Champions League. After three qualifying rounds Viktoria Plzeň advanced to the group stage. In Group H Plzeň were chanceless against the top teams FC Barcelona and AC Milan, but as third they qualified for the UEFA Europa League Round of 32. Viktoria Plzeň have won 3 of their 6 home matches in this European season (3 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat). In the home match against Schalke 04 manager Pavel Vrba will miss two key players. Midfielder Petr Jiracek transfered during the winter break to VfL Wolfsburg, central defender David Bystron was banned for 2 years through a positive doping control.
FC Schalke 04 advanced as winner of Group J to the Europa League Round of 32. Schalke 04 have won four of the six group matches (4 wins, 2 draws), the three away games brought two wins and one draw (goal difference 8:0) - 0:0 at Steaua Bukarest, 5:0 at AEK Larnaca and 3:0 at Maccabi Haifa. The start in the spring season was perfect with wins over VfB Stuttgart (3:1) and 1. FC Köln (4:1). However, the last two Bundesliga rounds didn't run by wish. The 1:1 at home against FSV Mainz followed a 0:3 defeat at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Not in the squad are the injured players Holtby, Kluge and Fährmann.
FC Viktoria Plzeň - FC Schalke 04 UEFA Europa League, Round of 32
Date: 16 February, 2012 - 19:00 CET
Stadium: Stadion města Plzně, Pilsen
Referee: tba
FC Viktoria Plzeň: Keeper: M. Cech
Defenders: Rajtoral, Sevinsky, Cisovsky, Limbersky
Midfielders: Horvath, Trapp - Petrzela, Kolar, Pilar
Forwards: Bakos
Manager: Pavel Vrba
Injured: Neuwirth
Booked:
FC Schalke 04: Keeper: Unnerstall
Defenders: Höger, Papadopoulos, Höwedes, Fuchs
Midfielders: Matip, Moritz - Obasi, Raul, Draxler
Forwards: Huntelaar
Manager: Huub Stevens
Injured: Holtby, Kluge, Fährmann
Booked:
For Viktoria Plzeň this fixture will be the first official match in the spring season. The Czech league starts on the upcoming weekend. Certainly a plus for Schalke 04. Furthermore manager Pavel Vrba will miss two important players from the autumn season - Jiracek and the suspended Bystron.
The weather forecast promises light snowfalls and temperatures around -2°C.
Last meeting: -
Wins Viktoria Plzeň: 0
Wins FC Schalke 04: 0
Draws: 0
Current form (W - Win, D - Draw, L - Loss)
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Viktoria Plzeň - W/W/L/W/D
FC Schalke 04 - L/W/W/D/L
Schalke 04 will rehabilitate for the 0:3 defeat in the Bundesliga against Borussia Mönchengladbach and win the away match at Viktoria Plzeň. Schalke have the better individual players. Away win Schalke 04.
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