Group stage: Einhoven - Schalke Report
Second-half fightback fails to prevent 1-0 defeat in Eindhoven
Eindhoven: Gomes - Lucius, Ooijer, Addo, Reiziger – Cocu (Lamey 86'), Simons, Afellay - Farfan, Beasley – Vennegoor of Hesselink (Robert 86')
Schalke: Rost - Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Altintop (Bajramovic 86') - Poulsen – Ernst (Varela 79') Kobiashvili - Lincoln – Sand (Larsen 71'), Kuranyi
Goal: 1-0 Vennegoor of Hesselink (34')
Referee: Baskakov (Russia)
PSV Eindhoven (1) 1 - 0 (0) FC Schalke 04
Schalke 04's opening Champions League group match ended in defeat on Tuesday evening. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed the goal that saw the Royal Blues go down 1-0 at PSV Eindhoven, despite several good chances to equalise after the interval.
Head coach Ralf Rangnick's starting line-up included a surprise, with new acquisition Rafinha coming in at right-back and Hamit Altintop switching to left-back. It was hoped this would keep PSV's speedy wingers Damarcus Beasley and Jefferson Farfan in check, while allowing Levan Kobiashvili to move to his strongest position in the left of midfield.
In the first half this strategy proved only partially successful. Rangnick's team started very focused against a side that reached the semi-final last season, making very few mistakes. The home side repeatedly attempted to launch rapid-fire attacks down the flanks, which the Royal Blues repelled with some determined tackling. But in attack they failed to fashion any opportunities of their own.
Yet it still came as a surprise when Eindhoven took the lead after 34 minutes in a half of few genuine chances. Even more surprising was the fact that Vennegoor of Hesselink was able to head home completely unchallenged. After the goal PSV mounted a series of counterattacks and were constantly urged on by a vociferous crowd, with the 2,000 travelling Schalke fans responding likewise.
It was a completely different game after the break. While PSV sat back to create the space for counterattacks and bolster their defence, they were able to break out only rarely. The Royal Blues were controlling the game and from the 60th minute they stepped up their search for an equaliser. But it didn't materialise. Ebbe Sand headed over the bar from just four metres out, Kevin Kuranyi volleyed wide from eight metres and Altintop's fierce shot from distance was saved by the keeper. PSV had one opportunity to settle the game as a contest, but Ibrahim Afellay was denied by Frank Rost, who had another impressive game, when clean through on goal.
Just before the end the Royal Blues were presented with an opportunity to claim a deserved equaliser. Rafinha, a genuine live-wire for ninety minutes, could not even be stopped by a foul as he charged down the wing, but his cross was headed narrowly wide from just six metres out by substitute Sören Larsen. Schalke's fightback at the Philips Stadium did not find its reward.
