Matip wants Schalke to attack

Schalke defender Joel Matip wants to repeat their first-leg effort against Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

The Bundesliga side produced a dominant second half to beat the reigning European champions 5-2 at the San Siro last week.

But 19-year-old defender Matip wants his side to turn on a similarly good display in the second leg in Gelsenkirchen.

“We have a nice advantage, but given the quality of the opposition we have to be prepared for everything,” Matip said.

“We do not want to hide. The starting position is different than before the first match, but we want to treat this one with the same determination and desire as we did in Milan, and with everyone helping their team-mates.”

Matip praised both current coach Ralf Rangnick and former manager Felix Magath in aiding his development as a player.

The Cameroon defender said he was also comfortable playing as a holding midfielder and was looking forward to matching it with countryman Samuel Eto’o.

“Eto’o has helped me a lot in the national team. We have a special relationship,” Matip said.

“He is a great guy as well. I have to thank him for a lot. But if I start tomorrow, he will be just another opponent. I would fight him the same as I would every other Inter player.”

Rangnick, who has been in charge of the club for just over one month, praised the young defender for his work and focus.

Fellow defender Hans Sarpei echoed the thoughts of Matip, but said Schalke would need to be aggressive during the encounter.

“We have a comfortable lead. But this is a new game that lasts 90 minutes and we will start the match in a way that nothing can go wrong,” Sarpei said.

“We will attack as if we need to score a goal. We will not wait to see what Inter does. We will play our own game.”