Coach Domenico Tedesco, however, was keen to play down expectations on the youngster as he held a press conference on the eve of the match.

Tedesco said: "He stressed to us that he is investing in his football (by coming) here and he is passionate about football.

"But he is a new player. We need patience, and we have this patience."

The clash against the Premier League champions is a daunting one for Schalke, who are 14th in the Bundesliga amid a frustrating season.

Tedesco recognises this but insists his side will not be fazed.

He said: "We are the underdog, clearly not the favourite. This is obvious.

"But it's nice if everyone thinks that. City have to prove they are stronger and superior to us.

"We will put everything we have against them. You can compare it to facing Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. They are one of the top teams in Europe and we want to show off. We want to take our fans with us and I think we have a chance.

"We know Man City are a very strong team and we will have to have our best day and prove ourselves.

"But, like every team, if you do something well you maybe lose a bit of the focus on something else. Maybe this is our chance."

Tedesco, whose side finished runners-up in the Bundesliga last season, feels it is a clash his players should be relishing.

He said: "We know how to play against teams with such a strong attack. We have to look forward to it.

"We went through it last season. We worked hard for it and there is nothing nicer than to have such a match in front of us."

Schalke will come up against one of their former players in Germany winger Leroy Sane, a club youth product who left for City in 2016.

Tedesco said: "Every player in their team sticks out – Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling are similar players.

"But we know the qualities of Leroy Sane. We will have to show a good performance and defend well against him."

Tedesco confirmed Ralf Fahrmann will play in goal ahead of Alex Nubel, who will return to face Mainz at the weekend.

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