RAFINHA WARY OF CITY'S BRAZILIAN THREAT
Schalke 04's right-back Rafinha has warned his team-mates that Manchester City's Brazilian trio could rip them apart in the UEFA Cup.
The 23-year-old is wary of his countrymen Robinho, Elano and Jo Alves - players he knew from his days in Brazil.
And having watched Mark Hughes's side stun Arsenal by 3-0 in the Premier League at the weekend, Rafinha knows Schalke face a tough test in Gelsenkirchen.
"Manchester City have a great team and our players do not understand how they are not fighting for the top positions in the table," said Rafinha.
"We've seen the video of the Premier League game against Arsenal and they won by being very practical and accurate in attack.
"This is a warning for Schalke - we must not give them options and space in front in our area."
Rafinha believes that Schalke must play special attention to Robinho - the ex-Real Madrid forward who has scored eight goals in 11 games since his British record £32.5m move in September.
"Robinho is brilliant," continued Rafinha. "For me he is the most devastating forward in world football at the moment. He has sublime skill, pace and finishing.
"I also know how Elano and Jo Alves play. And if I were the coach of City I would give them more minutes and prominence on the field. But if they don't play against Schalke we will be very grateful!
"The game is going to be very open and I think there will be many goals. This match is very important to us.
"We want to win because our challenge is to be the champions of the group. If we win, we will have virtually qualified for the next round of the UEFA Cup and we will have fulfilled one of our first goals of the season."
Schalke 04's right-back Rafinha has warned his team-mates that Manchester City's Brazilian trio could rip them apart in the UEFA Cup.
The 23-year-old is wary of his countrymen Robinho, Elano and Jo Alves - players he knew from his days in Brazil.
And having watched Mark Hughes's side stun Arsenal by 3-0 in the Premier League at the weekend, Rafinha knows Schalke face a tough test in Gelsenkirchen.
"Manchester City have a great team and our players do not understand how they are not fighting for the top positions in the table," said Rafinha.
"We've seen the video of the Premier League game against Arsenal and they won by being very practical and accurate in attack.
"This is a warning for Schalke - we must not give them options and space in front in our area."
Rafinha believes that Schalke must play special attention to Robinho - the ex-Real Madrid forward who has scored eight goals in 11 games since his British record £32.5m move in September.
"Robinho is brilliant," continued Rafinha. "For me he is the most devastating forward in world football at the moment. He has sublime skill, pace and finishing.
"I also know how Elano and Jo Alves play. And if I were the coach of City I would give them more minutes and prominence on the field. But if they don't play against Schalke we will be very grateful!
"The game is going to be very open and I think there will be many goals. This match is very important to us.
"We want to win because our challenge is to be the champions of the group. If we win, we will have virtually qualified for the next round of the UEFA Cup and we will have fulfilled one of our first goals of the season."
Labels: Manchester City, Mark Hughes, Rafinha, Robinho, Schalke 04, UEFA Cup
