Schalke belong in the Champions League, says Howedes

09-Mar-2013 3:00:00 PM

The highly-rated defender has set his sights on competing in European club football's elite competition once more next season

Benedikt Howedes has made it clear that Schalke are determined to qualify for the Champions League again this term ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga clash against Ruhr rivals Borussia Dortmund.

The Gelsenkirchen outfit currently sit joint-fifth in the league table, trailing fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt by two points, and they desperately need victory against BVB in order to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

"The Champions League is what you work for the whole season," Howedes was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.

"It's the competition where the best teams in Europe compete. Schalke belong in it.

"I get goosebumps when I hear the Champions League anthem."

Saturday's match versus Dortmund is scheduled to kick off at 15:30CET.

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