Europa League preview

Nice vs. Schalke (21.05 CEST)

Schalke face French side Nice looking to build on what was an impressive performance against Bayern Munich on Friday night, despite a 2-0 defeat.

Schalke return to the Europa League after a three-season absence, in which they had played in the Champions League. And although the club is dropping down from Europe's elite competition, the players still have a Champions League feeling.

"We are looking forward to the game in Nice. It almost has a Champions League feel to it," goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann said.

"I am also looking forward to seeing our 2,000 fans travelling fans. They always provide a fantastic atmosphere when we play in Europe."

Fresh start under Favre

Under former Borussia Mönchengladbach manager Lucien Favre, Nice signed former Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg defender Dante, as well as Italian international Mario Balotelli this summer.

They have started the season superbly in France, winning three of their first four matches and remaining unbeaten as the club looks to improve on last season's fourth-place finish. Balotelli was particularly impressive over the weekend, scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Marseille, and Schalke know his threat.

"Younes Belhanda is of course the one we all know best, but they have picked up Balotelli as well," said defender Matija Nastasic, who played alongside the Italian with Manchester City.

"True, in the past he has had problems with coaches, but when he can be fully concentrated on his football, he is an excellent player."

Schalke's only injury concern from the defeat to Bayern Munich, striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, has traveled with the squad having recovered from a mild concussion.

Mainz vs. St. Etienne (19.00 CEST)

With Sunday's grueling 4-4 draw with Hoffenheim behind them and the Bundesliga's "English week" coming up, manager Martin Schmidt will be looking to rotate and make the most of his squad, despite injuries to defenders Leon Balogun (cheek fracture) and André Remalho (right calf). Balogun could yet play with a face mask.

"The Bundesliga remains our priority," Schmidt told reporters on Wednesday. "We will have to rotate. We can't play with the same players, the same lineup and the same tactics three times in a week, but we have enough fresh players.

"Some players will suit St. Etienne better while others will be better suited to Augsburg on Sunday," he continued. "Others can run and run and don't need to be taken out of the team."

As a young football fan growing up in Switzerland, Schmidt watched a lot of French football in an era when St. Etienne were a dominant force. He has continued to monitor their progress and is well aware of their capabilities.

Strong defensively

"They are strong defensively and don't concede many goals," he said, referring to Christophe Galtier's side's impressive defensive record in Ligue 1. "In the last two seasons, they have conceded less than one goal a game - they are generally very solid."

"We're going to be fully focused on this game and if we do that, we'll have a successful result."

The visitors from France's Rhone valley have continental pedigree, having reached the final of the old European Cup in 1976. Les Verts finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and have started this season well, including a 1-1 draw away at champions Paris St. Germain on Friday.

Their success owes much to center-back Florentin Pogba, brother of Manchester United's Paul, but their back line has been depleted by injuries to Cheikh M'Bengue and Pierre-Yves Polomat, as well as goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier's suspension. Nevertheless, head coach Galtier assured the press that "our defense will be of a high quality."

Galtier was present in Mainz on Sunday but admitted that he almost missed the 4-4 thriller after mistakenly going to Mainz's old Bruchwegstadion - let's hope he makes it to the Opel Arena in time for the opening kickoff.