#2 A German team have the chance to go on and win
With no Sevilla in the Europa League this time around, it really is up in the air as to who we will see make it to the final. KRC Genk are looking strong after defeating their Belgian counterparts KAA Gent, whilst Spanish team Celta Vigo look like a dark horse after beating Krasnodar.
No German team have reached the Europa League final since Werder Bremen in 2009; who lost to Shakhtar Donetsk. However, this time around, Schalke could make it all the way, and Weinzierl really needs a good performance on the European stage considering his performances in the Bundesliga.
If Schalke are to make it all the way, they’re going to need the likes of Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka to be at their best – the former not near the standards where he should be.