This weekend bundesliga tie between Schalke and Bayern Munich
could well be regarded as battle of the Boateng brothers. Although the pair
have met before in an international game, with Kevin-Prince representing Ghana
and Jerome Germany, this is the first time they meet in a key Bundesliga
encounter and, while they share a mutual respect, they agree there will be no
room for family favours during the 90 minutes.
"We both want to show each other who's boss," Jerome
said at a press conference.
The pair will probably exchange shirts at the end of the game
after spending most of the game close enough to get into each other's boots.
"There won't be any family or friendly feelings,"
Kevin-Prince said on his club's website.
"I cannot pay any attention to us being related when we are
on the field.
"He's my brother, but I'd be disappointed if he did not
give it his all against me."
Both sides warmed up for the meeting with comprehensive 3-0 wins
in the Champions League in midweek, Schalke beating Steaua Bucharest and Bayern
downing CSKA Moscow.
The Royal Blues have kept three clean sheets in a row, winning
their last two league matches to narrow the gap on Bayern, who boast a 30-game
unbeaten record in the Bundesliga since losing to Bayer Leverkusen last year.
Schalke may therefore start as underdogs, but Kevin-Prince
fancies his side's chances. Their return to form did coincide with his arrival
after all.
"Anything's possible," he added. "The league
situation doesn't interest me.
"Of course Bayern have a team with many top players, but so
do we, and we're going to show that."
While the Boatengs are assure of their respective starting berths,
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola still has several doubts to resolve.
Having named eight different starting XIs already this season,
changes are to be expected, although the game comes too early for Mario Gotze,
who is back in training after damaging his ankle in the Super Cup.
The only other certainty on Guardiola's team sheet is goalkeeper
Manuel Neuer, who has celebrated four wins and as many clean sheets in games
against Schalke since leaving Gelsenkirchen in 2011.
