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Ottmar Hitzfeld tips Schalke for a third-place finish

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The former Bayern Munich manager reckons that Schalke might not be able to win the Bundesliga but will definitely qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Ottmar Hitzfeld has his doubts over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Royal-95-c40387 Blues’ pursuit for the league title and claims that the side will not trouble Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund in their bid to win this season’s Bundesliga. He feels that Huub Stevens’
team is not strong enough to go on and win the competition, but insists they have a definite chance to book their berth in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
The manager added that Die Knappen had an outstanding first-half of the season where they performed beyond expectations under their new manager, Huub Stevens. However, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Switzerland-c3016 manager has refused to name them as one of
the possible title contenders.
The tactician claims the Gelsenkirchen-based outfit is still in the rebuilding stage considering their disappointing previous campaign and do not have the required quality to lift the league title at the end of the season.
While talking to the official Bundesliga website, the former Borussia Dortmund manager further mentioned:
“Similar to Bayern's situation, Schalke had to adjust to a new system when they brought in a new head coach. Huub Stevens is known for attaching a lot of importance to a well organised backline. Add to that the goal scoring threats
of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 and it makes all the difference.”
The 63-year-old praised Stevens’ decent approach to the game, and admires the fact that it provides the youngsters with an opportunity to mature and furnish their skills. He feels that the 2010/11 Champions League semi-finalists
have already exceeded expectations this season and wants them to continue improving.
“It provides an environment where younger players such as Julian Draxler and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lewis-Holtby-c22175 can mature. Schalke have exceeded expectations. If they ultimately manage to secure a European qualification spot then there's no doubt everyone
in Gelsenkirchen will be pleased,” Hitzfeld concluded.
Schalke are currently third on the league table, three points adrift of current leaders, Bayern Munich, and level on points with second placed, Borussia Dortmund. The Veltins-Arena outfit will restart their Bundesliga campaign
with the game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/VfB-Stuttgart-c40879 on Saturday, January 21.
 

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