Group stage: Istanbul - Schalke Report
Impressive Schalke claim 3-3 draw in Istanbul
A strong performance earned FC Schalke 04 a 3-3 draw at Fenerbahce on Wednesday evening in a game they deserved to win and perhaps should have. Lincoln and Kevin Kuranyi had twice given the Royal Blues the lead, only for Christoph Daum's team to equalise both times.
The result means Schalke still have every chance of qualifying for the next stage of Europe's premier club competition.
Head coach Ralf Rangnick made two changes to the side that faced Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last weekend. Fabian Ernst made way for Hamit Altintop in the starting line-up, with the Turkey international slotting in at right-back in a back four and Rafinha moving to the right side of midfield. Up front, Schalke skipper Ebbe Sand replaced Kevin Kuranyi.
In the opening stages the Royal Blues refused to be intimidated by the monumental atmosphere at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium and were able to control the game. Their first attempt on goal came after just 46 seconds when Sand found space to meet a Mladen Krstajic cross, but his header was saved by Fener keeper Volkan Demirel.
Schalke continued to pressure, in particular down the left-hand side, without being able to fashion any clear-cut chances. But they were caught cold after 14 minutes. Alex floated a free-kick into the middle and Fabio rose unchallenged to head Fenerbahce a surprise lead. The Royal Blues were stunned by the goal and were lucky not to go further behind just three minutes later when Nobre was denied by Frank Rost after being played in by Nicolas Anelka.
Yet Rangnick's team fought their way back into the game and registered their first big chance in the 20th minute. Levan Kobiashvili's corner to the near post was headed towards goal by Christian Poulsen, but the Turkey international goalkeeper pulled off a great save.
The Royal Blues were now taking the initiative more and more, though often delayed too long in front of goal. Another good chance came on the half hour when Rafinha forced his way courageously into the Fenerbahce penalty area leaving two defenders in his wake, only to fire his shot into the side netting.
Not until the closing stages of the first half did the home side get more involved again and four minutes before the break they had a great chance to extend their lead. After Altintop had given the ball away Alex put Nobre in, but Rost showed just how good he is in one-on-one situations in stealing the ball off the striker's toe.
Rangnick had to make an enforced change at half-time after Sand sustained a suspected broken nose and was replaced by Kuranyi. Altintop and Rafinha also swapped positions on the right-hand side.
And Schalke found their stride almost immediately, with Altintop creating plenty of pressure down the right. The first opportunity fell to Kuranyi on 51 after a pass from Lincoln, but his shot was blocked.
But then it was time for the Schalke number ten to take centre stage. In the 59th minute the Brazilian received the ball in the penalty from a cross by the impressive Kobiashvili, shook off his marker's challenge and struck a deserved equaliser for the Royal Blues from 14 metres. And following a one-two with Sören Larsen just three minutes later Lincoln was again on hand to beat Demirel for a second time and put Schalke 2-1 in front.
Schalke were full value for their lead, such was their determination to hold their own in Istanbul. But despite being left reeling by Lincoln's double strike, the home side clawed their way back into the game. After a corner had been headed away by Larsen, the ball came back into the penalty area and Nobre headed the equaliser. The goal was preceded by a foul, though, as Nobre was clearly climbing all over Poulsen.
Yet the Royal Blues refused to lie down and within four minutes were back in front, admittedly with the assistance of the Fenerbahce goalkeeper, who produced an air shot to completely miss a long ball played through to Kuranyi, allowing the Germany international to stroke the ball into the empty net. But Schalke's joy was again short-lived, as Stephen Appiah restored parity just two minutes later with a shot from the edge of the box after Alex's free-kick had been half-cleared.
The play went from end to end in the closing stages, with Schalke fashioning another good chance through Kobiashvili. Three minutes from time the home side lost their playmaker Alex, who was sent off for persistent foul play. And so in the end a strong Schalke side had to settle for a point, though in the next two home matches against Fenerbahce and PSV Eindhoven they could take a decisive step towards booking their place in the next round.
