Schalke General Manager Horst Heldt has set his sights on winning the UEFA Europa League this season after a disappointing exit from the German Cup.
Die Knappen have had a good first-half of the season and their performances have been consistent throughout. The club currently sits in third place on the Bundesliga standings table with 34 points from the 17 games played. They
are level on points with Borussia Dortmund, who are only ahead because of a superior goal difference.
Schalke has had a brilliant European campaign also and have qualified for the Round of 32 of the competition. They topped the Group J with 14 points with four wins and two draws and are yet to taste defeat in the Europa League
this season. The German outfit has been drawn against Czech club Viktoria Plzen in the knock-out stage.
Heldt claimed that the club has to compensate for the exit in the German Cup this season and have to win the Europa League this season. He is aiming to reach the finals in Bucharest at the end of the campaign and wants the team
to challenge for the honours in Europe.
“It is important for the players to come down quickly and put football matters to one side for a while. We are out of the cup so we will need to be successful elsewhere. Our aim is to reach Bucharest and to consolidate our position
in the Bundesliga,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.
The General Manager also expressed his satisfaction on the displays in the first-half of the campaign. He claimed that the players have performed very well and it is a great achievement to be in the top three at Christmas. He remained
hopeful that the results continue to come and Schalke achieve success this season.
“You have to pay the team a huge compliment and take your hat off to the players. Despite losing in the cup it has been a great year for the team. It has not always been easy for those involved with three managerial changes and
plenty of ups and downs,” he concluded.
Schalke play Plzen in the first-leg of the knock-out stage on Thursday, February 16.
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