week 4 - match report

Fine performance against Chelsea goes unrewarded

"We showed a really good response to the game in Cottbus", said Schalke coach Mirko Slomka after the goalless draw against Chelsea. More than that, the Royal Blues had the heavy favourites on the verge of a deserved defeat in this Champions League clash. But the frame of the goal (twice) and Juliano Belletti (once) stood in their way.

Slomka responded to the defeat in Cottbus by making changes over and above those made necessary by the loss of Kevin Kuranyi and Fabian Ernst. Soren Larsen and Zlatan Bajramovic stood in for them, while teenagers Ivan Rakitic and Mesut Özil got the nod over Carlos Grossmüller and Peter Lovenkrands, who began on the bench.

Following a great chance for Didier Drogba that was brilliantly defused by Manuel Neuer in the sixth minute the Royal Blues gradually cast off their awe of the big names in the Chelsea side. "In the reverse fixture we weren't able to quell the attacking threat of Chelsea's full-backs. Tonight we turned the tables on them", noted Slomka.

Indeed, Heiko Westermann in particular repeatedly left the Londoners nonplussed with some brave surges forward. Two of the defender's goal-bound shots produced corners that resulted in great chances for Schalke. But Larsen and Bordon missed the target, and then Westermann's close-range effort on 29 was cleared off the line by Belletti. Towards the end of the half Neuer again denied Drogba to prevent the visitors from taking what would have been a most undeserved lead.

After the interval the Royal Blues continued to merit the increasingly enthusiastic support of the home crowd with a rousing performance. "We fought with great passion and followed our tactical plan to the letter", said Slomka in praise of his team. "We were very well organised, won lots of tackles, had some extremely dangerous set pieces and created a host of chances as a result."

But Schalke were out of luck when Rafinha's 73rd minute lob struck the crossbar and a Lovenkrands shot two minutes from time smacked against the post. On both occasions the VELTINS Arena crowd went up as one in anticipation of a goal before letting out a collective groan of sympathy. So the Royal Blues again failed to score, but nevertheless Slomka identified a difference compared with other games in this competition and in recent weeks, saying: "We had a far greater presence in front of goal than we did against Valencia and Cottbus", the 40-year-old said. "Chelsea simply sat back and waited for us to open up towards the end of the game. We didn't do so, and yet we still managed to create some very good chances right up to the final whistle."

Chelsea boss Avram Grant said: "It was not a bad result for us. Things are still in our hands in the group. But we can play better." That they were unable to do so was partly down to the Royal Blues and their supporters, the Israeli continued: "We knew Schalke were good at home and the atmosphere in this stadium is really very good", he said in praise of the Arena crowd before qualifying the performance of his team: "After so many good games in a short time we can play a game that is not at the high level."

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Westermann - Jones, Bajramovic - Rakitic - Asamoah, Larsen, Özil (Lovenkrands 60')
Chelsea: Cech (Cudicini 46') - Belletti (Mikel 64'), Alex, Carvalho, Bridge - Essien, Makelele, Lampard - Joe Cole, Malouda (Wright-Phillips 78') - Drogba
Referee: Busacca (Switzerland)
Attendance: 53,951 (sold out)
Yellow cards: Rakitic - Essien