League is Schalke´s immediate concern: Rangnick

Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick is adamant his team’s focus is on their Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen and not the UEFA Champions League.

The ninth-placed side won through to the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 7-3 aggregate win over reigning European Champions Inter Milan on Thursday.

But Rangnick insists Saturday’s clash against Bremen is the focus as Schalke try to enter the Bundesliga top six and claim a European spot.

“Every day it sinks in a little more. Yes, we are really a semi-finalist in the Champions League and it does feel like something historical. But the next match is scheduled for tomorrow,” Rangnick said.

“I don’t feel like there is an awful lot of time to think about the Champions League at the moment. There is still a bit to go until we have to focus on Manchester United.”

“But right now I’m thinking about the match against Werder Bremen.”

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Schalke ran out 4-0 winners with veteran striker Raul scoring a hat-trick.

Rangnick admitted Schalke’s targets pre-season were to finish in the top five, but said the pressure was still on Bremen to get results and avoid a relegation battle.

“Their results are more stable now than before. But they are still in a dangerous position. If they lose against us they’ll find themselves struggling at the relegation zone again,” Rangnick said.

“There must be a lot of pressure on them. On the other hand we want to prove that our good run continues and that we’ve got the conviction. But we can be sure that Bremen will challenge us as good as they can?”

The match is at Bremen’s Weserstadion on Saturday.