Basel attack will decide Schalke clash - Xhaka

 

The Monchengladbach midfielder believes the likes of Marco Streller, Mohamed Salah and Valentin Stocker will fire his side to the Champions League knockout stage

Mohamed Salah and the Basel attack will prove pivotal in their decisive Champions League clash with Schalke, according to Granit Xhaka.

The Swiss champions head into the meeting in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday knowing a draw will be enough to send them through to the next round with Chelsea after the Egyptian youngster hit the winning goal in the 1-0 win over the Blues on matchday 5.

Xhaka, who left Basel for Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012, believes the likes of Salah and Valentin Stocker - who was strongly linked with a move to Schalke during the summer - could make the difference for Murat Yakin's men.

"Basel have nothing to lose,"A draw would already be enough for them while Schalke have to win under any circumstances.

"It will be a match that suits Basel, especially because they have many very fast players in attack who are able to decide a match on their own.

"With [Marco] Streller, Salah and Stocker their attack is very strong. They're good at passing the ball. Since Basel needs a draw and I wish for them to progress, I think it will be a 1-1 in the end."