Two clubs chasing UEFA Champions League glory will do battle today in a match between NK Maribor and Schalke 04. The group-stage clash scheduled for 2:45 p.m. ET will be held at the Stadion Ljudski vrt in Maribor and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on Fox Soccer Plus.
What They're Saying
NK Maribor manager Ante Simundza (via UEFA): "It will be our 35th match of the season. That's really a lot, but it will also be our last before the winter break, so the boys are extremely motivated. Schalke are in good shape, with a change of coach bringing fresh impetus into their team. I expect some unfamiliar faces to be in their squad, so it will be a different match from the first one in Gelsenkirchen."
Schalke 04 manager Roberto Di Matteo: "Last season, Schalke had a similar situation against Basel at home, but this is different. We're playing away and we know Maribor are especially strong at home. But of course, we have to win to progress to the next round of the Champions League, which would be a great result for Schalke. Maribor have a really nice team, very well organized with some powerful individuals. They are especially strong on the counterattack and I know that they will play aggressively. Only a win counts for everybody here."
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Schalke 04's Klaas Jan-Huntelaar remains the club's primary attacking threat. In 19 appearances across all competitions, the 31-year-old has 10 goals and three assists.
NK Maribor's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): HandanoviÄ; Stojanović (MejaÄ), RajÄeviÄ, Arghus, Viler; Mertelj, Ibraimi, FilipoviÄ, VršiÄ; Tavares, Zahović
Schalke 04's Projected Lineup (4-4-2): Fährmann; Neustädter, Kirchhoff, Höwedes; Uchida, Fuchs, Aogo, Höger, Meyer; Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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