The Manchester United manager is only too aware that since he took over the reigns at Old Trafford, he has never beaten German opposition in a two-legged European match.

In a press conference Ferguson stated: “Semi-finals are never easy. This is going to be a difficult game and we will treat it that way.”

Schalke have been the surprise package of this year’s championships, demolishing Inter Milan 7-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals to set up the crunch match with United.

“Schalke have beaten every team at home in the Champions League this season, including Valencia and Inter Milan. If you just take that in isolation, it is good form,” added Ferguson.

“There is no way we will be led into believing this is going to be easy.”

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They join headliners Arcade Fire, Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes at the event, alongside Mumford & Sons and The Streets.

Benicassim takes place just outside Valencia on the 14th-17th July 2011. Previous artists to have played the festival include Radiohead, Morrissey and Kraftwek.

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Nani and Carrick had been struggling, but have overcome problems to join the squad, along with Antonio Valencia.

However, the starting line-up has not been announced and it is unclear if any of the returning players will start. Nani was stretchered off after a high tackle from Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher just over a week ago, but may be an important player to bring some creativity to the side

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Real Madrid would have been inspired to hear of Barcelona’s earlier stumble, with the Catalan giants drawing 2-2 with Almeria and relying on Argentine star Lionel Messi to score twice in order to salvage a point.

This weekend, in a title race that is fascinating football fans from all over the world, Real travel to lowly Valladolid whilst Barcelona host Valencia, who’s own title dreams appear to be well and truly over, thanks to a frustrating goalless draw with Racing Santander on Monday night. The tension at the top of the table is making for an irresistible El Clásico clash next month, and Tixdaq.com can reveal that tickets are still available for one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes in the football calendar.

Elsewhwere in the league, seemingly doomed Xerez came back from behind to record a 4-2 victory over Malaga, and will be hoping to carry on their momentum against eighth placed Villareal this weekend, with the bottom side still ten points away from safety.

Atletico Madrid secured a last-gasp leveller at Real Zaragoza, as Athletic Bilbao kept within reach of the European places with a 2-0 victory over Valladolid. Deportivo also boosted their hopes of European football next season after a 3-1 victory over relegation battlers Tenerife, setting up an interesting game this coming weekend as they travel to Sevilla, with tickets available to compare and buy here at Tixdaq.com.

Other highlights in this weekend’s upcoming fixtures include Getafe vs high-flying Real Mallorca and Osasuna’s trip to Atletico Madrid.

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The winter break – so desired by football managers all over England – is about to be taken in Spain as La Liga breaks up for Christmas.

Before the footballers get a well-earned two-week rest there is one last set of fixtures with the most intriguing of them taking place at La Riazor.

Deportivo la Coruna take on Valencia as sixth place plays fourth with both sides seeking an early Christmas present.

A win for the home side would lift them above their visitors and possibly into fourth place. Deportivo will want to improve on their performance last weekend when they needed a late Pablo Alvarez goal to snare a draw at lowly Almeria. After a run of three straight wins they have secured just one point from their last two matches and will want to regain some  momentum.

Valencia will be smarting from a damaging home defeat to Real Madrid. Twice Los Che came back from a goal behind against Manuel Pellegrini’s team only to lose to Ezequiel Garay’s late winner and see the gap stretched  between them to six points.

One of Valencia’s scorers that day was David Villa who is out on his own at the top of the goalscoring charts with 12 goals. The lethal Spaniard is the club’s prize asset and main hope of Champions League qualification. He will be the main object of attention for Depor’s defenders.

Tickets for Deportivo La Coruna v Valencia are still available via this website with prices from £65.

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This weekend sees a few very interesting matches in La Liga that could have bearing on the rest of the season for the respective clubs.

The biggesst game is undoubtedly Valencia’s match against Real Madrid at La Mestalla. The meeting of third and second in the table is the highest profile Spanish game since El Clasico and it is a game that Valencia dare not lose if they are to stay in touch with leaders. Real Madrid, on the other hand, will know that a win will put daylight between the two teams and increase the pressure on title rivals FC Barcelona.

The Spanish an European champions are in action in the Catalonia derby against Espanyol. The fixture has been dominated by the giants of FC Barcelona and it is hard to see beyond them this time either. Still, Espanyol are hovering above the relegation zone and any kind of positive result could provide the springboard to a good new year.

The other intriguing match sees Atletico Madrid entertain Villareal. These two teams have struggled badly this year after good campaigns last time and both currently sit in mid-table obscurity.

Tickets for all three matches ara still available to buy so check out the La Liga tickets on this website if you are planning a trip to sunny Spain.

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Manchester United eased into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night with what was in the end a comfortable 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Harry Redknapp played virtually a full strength side at Old Trafford and it was the Londoners who made all the early running with the in-form Jermain Defoe looking particularly lively. Despite Spurs dominating proceedings it was United who took the lead through a wonderful strike from Ireland international Darren Gibson that notched up his first goal of the season.

More Tottenham pressure followed but the Red Devils extended their lead before the break when a lovely interchange between Gibson and Danny Welbeck allowed the Irishman the space to curl in his second goal from the edge of the penalty area.

Tottenham were unable to lift themselves in the second half and Manchester United progress to the next round.

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