Fuente: © UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Krstajić adds to Schalke concerns

/noticias.info/ FC Schalke 04's hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage have taken another blow with the news that defender Mladen Krstajić is doubtful for the first leg of the third qualifying round because of a thigh injury.

Injury blows
The 34-year-old tore muscle fibre during the 2-1 friendly defeat against Beşiktaş JK on Saturday and could be out for three weeks. Schalke discover their third qualifying round opponents on Friday and will play the first leg of that tie on 12 or 13 August, giving Krstajić little time to recover. Already new coach Fred Rutten is without midfielder Albert Streit because of a similar injury, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has a broken foot, forward Gustavo Varela is out with a groin problem and forward Peter Løvenkrands has a partial fracture in his right ankle. Schalke launch their Bundesliga campaign on 16 August at home to Hannover 96. notas_de_prensa_archivo