Master tactician' Di Matteo can beat Real Madrid, says Choupo-Moting

The attacker has backed the former Chelsea boss to help Schalke spring a surprise against the Champions League holders this week

By Joe Wright

Feb 16, 2015 16:36:52

Schalke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting saysReal Madrid are not unbeatable, especially with "master tactician" Roberto Di Matteo around.

Madrid crushed the Bundesliga side 9-2 on aggregate in last season's Champions League on their way to lifting the trophy and begin the knockout phase this term with a trip to Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.

However, 25-year-old Choupo-Moting insists Schalke are looking to take a first-leg win to Santiago Bernabeu for the return match as his side prepare for their clash with the holders.

"We have been working hard and Madrid are not unbeatable," he told AS.

"Everything and anything can happen and that’s why football is so special. We ideally don’t want to draw or lose the home game.

"Di Matteo is a master tactician. Not just for what he has done with us but for his results in general. We realise that his style of playing may not be the most attractive and we want to play better. We are getting better as time goes by.

"I’m not sure what the Real Madrid players are thinking. I would imagine that they are anxious to show the world that the game against Atletico Madrid was a blip."

Choupo-Moting also warned his team-mates not to become obsessed with finding a way to stop the vistiors' star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

"We need to focus on all Madrid players, not just single out any one individual," he said.

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