Schalke in concentration test

Schalke 04 must keep Europe off their minds if they are to revive their Bundesliga campaign in today's home clash with leaders Bayern Munich.

Schalke managed a 1-0 win at home to Porto in the first leg of their Champions League tie last week but two defeats in the German league either side of that result have left them nine points behind Bayern in fifth place.

Today's game offers a chance to resurrect their title bid, or at least a top-three finish and a place in the Champions League again next year, but only if the players can put next Wednesday's return leg against Porto out of their minds.

"The last two defeats were very bad for us," Brazilian defender Marcelo Bordon told reporters. "We have to put those results behind us and give everything when we face Bayern.

"It's important for the players, the club, for our own families and also in terms of respect."

Bayern are four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after coming from behind to draw 1-1 at home to Hamburg SV last weekend.

Ottmar Hitzfeld's side are still in with a chance of a domestic double after a penalty from Franck Ribery late in extra-time gave them a 1-0 win over city rivals 1860 Munich in a German Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

It was an exhausting derby for the Bavarians but Hitzfeld is confident his team will be well prepared for a match against another traditional rival.

"I think we have a very good chance," Hitzfeld said.

"It's true we had to play extra-time against 1860 Munich in the cup but we are in good shape and on Saturday (today) we'll be going for victory."

Second-placed Werder Bremen will have to get used to life without Brazilian playmaker Diego when they play at home to Borussia Dortmund today.

Diego was red-carded for an off-the-ball challenge on Ioannis Amanatidis in Werder's defeat by Eintracht Frankfurt and he starts a three-match ban.