Schlotterbeck has been fouled at least once in each of his last five Champions League games, he’s averaging 1.00 fouls won per 90 across his nine appearances in the Champions League on the whole which is a record that indicates that Schlotterbeck is being fouled consistently by opposition strikers. 

Schlotterbeck has won 16 fouls across his 18 Bundesliga appearances this season to support this suggestion (0.94 per 90) which indicates that the centre back’s numbers stay consistent over a larger sample size. Schlotterbeck was fouled twice in the first leg meeting between these sides. 

He’s expected to line up against Viktor Gyokeres who has committed 11 fouls across his eight Champions League appearances this season (1.63 per 90). The striker is quite aggressive with his press and also in aerial duels which usually lead to him unfairly impeding his opposition centre back on at least one occasion. Schlotterbeck’s positive fouls won record suggests that he’s quite smart in managing these duels with centre forwards, often getting the referee’s decision from these physical battles. 

There is also the possibility that Schlotterbeck lines up against Conrad Harder who started the first leg and committed three fouls in his 59 minutes of action. Harder has committed six fouls across his eight Champions League appearances this season (2.31 per 90). Sporting could very well line up with both Harder and Gyokeres as they need to overturn a three goal deficit which would increase the chances of Schlotterbeck being fouled. Schlotterbeck’s promising fouls won record for a centre back also suggests he is the centre back tasked with engaging with the opposition centre forward with Emre Can beside him not a natural centre back.