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Schalke trainer Mirko Slomka believes his team are facing Barcelona at the ideal time to cause an upset as the two sides prepare for their Champions League quarter final clash.

The Königsblauen boss is urging his side to take advantage of Barca’s current slump in form when they meet on Tuesday at the Veltins Arena and take a huge step towards reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

"They have conceded 12 goals in the last six games - 15 if you include the cup - and this is a lot for such a top team" Slomka explained.

"They are having a few problems at the moment. Furthermore, their away form has not been so good in the league and so we do have a chance here at home with our excellent fans behind us.

"In the last round, we won 1-0 here against Porto and this set us up well for the second leg" he added.

Slomka however does expect Barcelona to provide a serious test for his team despite their poor current run in La Liga.

"I saw their cup tie with Valencia, which they lost 3-2, but they still showed their class in that game" he said.

"Barca are one of the two or three teams in Europe who play the technically best football.

"Even if they come here without three world-class players, they have other world-class replacements and enough players who are renowned for their excellent football."

The trainer of the Gelsenkirchen club has his sights firmly on winning the game and turning it into his finest hour at the club after coming under intense pressure earlier this season when there were rumours the axe was about to fall on him.

"This is a special game for all of us, for the club and for the fans here supporting us.

"You don't play Barcelona every day and this is the quarter-finals of the Champions League and we have got to believe in our chances."

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Goal.com - Schalke - Slomka: Barcelona There For The Taking