Schalke hopeful of beating City in Champions League last-16 tie

Schalke 04 are still hoping to upset all the odds and get past Manchester City in their Champions League last-16 tie despite trailing and facing a relegation battle in the Bundesliga. The Germans, a lowly 14th in their domestic league and only three points above the bottom three, lost the first game 3-2 and could be tempted to focus on facing RB Leipzig on Saturday.

"Our situation in the Bundesliga is quite precarious, and we are fully aware of that,” coach Domenico Tedesco acknowledged at a news conference on the eve of Tuesday's City clash. However, the Gwerman-Italian coach said he will not rest players against the English champions at the Etihad, although full back Daniel Caligiuri is out with an ankle sprain.

"We have come here to try and take the small chance we have of winning," Tedesco added. "We will play cautiously offensive. "We have to play even better this time and need a really special day." 

(With inputs from agencies.)