Metzelder identifies Rooney threat
Schalke defender
Christoph Metzelder has
put a target firmly on
Wayne Rooney's back ahead of Manchester United's
Champions League semi-final first leg visit to Germany on
Tuesday.
Rooney has rediscovered something like his best form in recent
weeks and he was again influential in United's 1-0 Premier League
victory over Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday, drifting off the
forward line expertly to dictate play.
Metzelder, 30, said Schalke are well aware of Rooney's ability
to find space and would be looking to limit his freedom, even if
merely seeking to do so and actually achieving that aim can be two
different stories.
"It's all about stopping Rooney, he's the key player," Metzelder
said. "The first match is at home so it will be very important not
to concede a goal. Against Chelsea he dropped into the midfield, so
it's important to defend against him not only with the defensive
line but also with the midfielders.
Metzelder said he was glad Schalke had avoided favourites
Barcelona in their first-ever Champions League semi-final, claiming
United more conventional style of play is easier to counter than
the tiki-taka of the Spanish pass-masters.
"Of course we know that Manchester United have so many key
players but they don't scare us," he said. "It would be much more
difficult for us to play against Barcelona. The style of Manchester
United is easier for us, if you can say that. Barcelona take
control and they make you run so much it's very difficult to defend
against them. It's easier to play against teams like Manchester
United - or even Real Madrid."
But Metzelder is by no means underestimating the challenge ahead
for Schalke, though, conceding the German side are the
underdogs.
"Manchester United have had so much experience in the Champions
League over the last 20 years. Individually they are so very strong
so they're big favourites.
"Our advantage is certainly that Manchester United will be busy
thinking about facing either Real or Barcelona at Wembley in the
final. We will definitely be looking to come up with
something."
