The Schalke manager is aiming to do well in Europe’s elite club competition and has set his sights on impressing in the group stages.
Die Knappen qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League by finishing in third place on the Bundesliga standings table last year. The team impressed many with their sensational showings in the league and the UEFA
Europa League and are now targeting to emulate the previous campaign.
Stevens insisted that nobody expected Schalke to do so well in the Bundesliga at the start of last season after the finished in 14th place in the previous campaign. He admitted that the club had to face some problems
as two of the first choice goalkeepers faced long-term injuries, but the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues remained in contention for a place in the top four which is a huge achievement.
The manager added that the team has great confidence and the players are looking forward to emulate last season’s success this time around also.
“We had a very successful season, which wasn't exactly to be expected at this time last year. We managed to qualify for the Champions League automatically despite a few problems along the way, such as the injury misfortune we had
with our goalkeepers, and we did so by scoring loads of goals,” the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/PSV-c40281 Eindhoven boss was quoted as saying in an interview.
On the other hand, the tactician hailed Schalke’s progress to the Champions League semi-final the last time they played in the competition. He admitted that it was an outstanding achievement and is keen to progress from the group
to the knock-out stage.
“That was an outstanding achievement. You don't get to the semi-final every season. We aim to stay around for a while and we'd love to make the knockout rounds. Our main aim, however, is to impress during the group stage,” he concluded.
The UEFA Champions League draws will take place in Monaco on Thursday, August 30. The Gelsenkirchen based outfit will learn which teams they will face as they have been seeded in the Pot two with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863, Manchester
City and Benfica.
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