week 1 - match report

Clever Valencia stun Schalke in CL opener

There are some hard rules in the Champions League. One is that momentary lapses in concentration can prove costly. Something Schalke learned the hard way on Tuesday as they went down 1-0 at home to Valencia.

For their opening Champions League fixture the Royal Blues made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 at Bayern Munich, Halil Altintop starting in place of Peter Lovenkrands. In contrast, the Valencia team showed six changes compared with the one that beat Valladolid 2-1. The entire midfield was replaced, with Miguel assuming the role of right-back and David Villa switching back into the attack.

Under these auspices, a game began in which the Royal Blues sought to master the balancing act of putting their Spanish guests under pressure without exposing their defence. "We started very well and controlled the first 20 minutes. But apart from Kevin's effort we didn't have any clear-cut chances", said Oliver Reck, summing up the first half. The assistant coach was standing in for head coach Mirko Slomka, who was suspended.

Kuranyi's shot on the half hour, which missed the target by the narrowest of margins, was the one time Schalke came close to scoring before the break. This could largely be attributed to Valencia's no-nonsense tactics, which nevertheless are standard practice at the highest European level. "Valencia dropped back deeper and deeper and lulled us into a slow game", said Reck. "We were very alert at the back and allowed very few chances", said a satisfied Valencia coach Quique Flores.

Schalke's strategy for the second half had nothing to find fault with. "We wanted to carry on playing patiently, step up the pressure and take more risks", revealed Reck. But as the 53,951 VELTINS Arena crowd were beginning to believe that, if nothing else, an error by the repeatedly shaky goalkeeper Santiago Canizares would bring about the long-awaited Schalke goal, the visitors struck.

Stunned by David Villa's 63rd minute goal, it took until the closing stages for Schalke to penetrate the opposition penalty area again. Valencia played intelligently, keeping possession for long periods and showing their experience in running down the clock. "Our assurance on the ball was there today", said Flores. In contrast, Reck bemoaned his side's failure to counter the Spanish tactics: "We should have played more one-twos, but they closed us down and made life difficult for us."

Nevertheless, Schalke could still have forced a draw. But Westermann couldn't find the target with a free header (81'), and Lovenkrands screwed his shot wide when ideally placed to score in stoppage time. You don't get many chances at this level, as the Royal Blues were aware beforehand. And on Tuesday they were given a painful reminder of what it means if you don't take them.

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha (Grossmüller 73'), Westermann, Bordon, Pander - Ernst, Jones - Rakitic - Asamoah (Özil 61'), Kuranyi, Altintop (Lovenkrands 73')

Valencia: Canizares - Miguel, Albiol, Helguera, Moretti - Angulo (Joaquin 75'), Albelda, Marchena, Silva - Morientes (Arizmendi 80'), Villa (Sunny 90')

Referee:  Jan Wegereef (Netherlands)

Goal: 0-1 Villa (63')

Attendance: 53,951 (sold out)

Yellow cards: Grossmüller, Bordon - Albelda, Marchena, Moretti