Schalke might be trailing the other three teams in Group B, but they still have everything to play for as they welcome Chelsea to the Arena AufSchalke with a single point separating them from second position. For Chelsea, a victory would guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds if the result in the night's other group fixture goes their way.
With Chelsea rediscovering their winning form under new coach Avram Grant, the challenge for Schalke two weeks ago was already fraught with difficulties. Another blow came when Kevin Kuranyi was ruled out just before the start with a knee injury, and with only four minutes to go, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer committed a grave mistake that allowed Florent Malouda to score the opener.
Chelsea
Schalke second defeat in three games was confirmed when Didier Drogba blast a diving header into the net, though there were positives and Soren Larsen was unfortunate with a header that came back off an upright. Now Schalke must rediscover the form that enabled them to win away to Rosenborg BK on Matchday 2 as they look to improve on their previous two UEFA Champions League group campaigns in which they finished in fourth and third place.
There was a gap of 32 years before Schalke crossed swords with the English foes. It came in the first group stage of the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League when they beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Arena AufSchalke. It was the final group fixture and it could not prevent Schalke finishing in fourth place while the Gunners went into the contest knowing they had already qualified.
Chelsea approach this coming match knowing that a third successive group win would assure them of a place for the fifth successive season if Rosenborg secured a second victory away at Valencia.
Stuttgart were Chelsea's opponents in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final when Gianfranco Zola's goal in Stockholm was enough to give Chelsea the trophy for a second time.
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