week 6 - match report

"Great combination play" sees Schalke into knockout stages

They needed one goal – but they didn't leave it at that. "What was decisive was the fact that we managed to add a second goal this time", said Mirko Slomka after the 3-1 win over Rosenborg, which saw the Royal Blues progress to the first knockout round of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history amid euphoric scenes at the VELTINS Arena.

"We're delighted with the result and the way it came about and the fact that we're in the next round. We scored three goals with some great combination play ", the Schalke boss said, summarising a game that was already over after a turbulent first half. Owing to the internal suspensions of Mladen Krstajic and Ivan Rakitic, Slomka named Dario Rodriguez and Carlos Grossmüller in his starting line-up, while Gerald Asamoah was preferred over Halil Altintop in attack.

And the Germany international, making his 40th European appearance, justified the decision when he scored the opening goal in the twelfth minute, much to the relief of his team mates and the entire 53,951 crowd, with the exception of the visitors' section. Schalke were creating a host of excellent opportunities and repeatedly tearing holes in the Norwegian defence and they did indeed extend their lead when Rafinha ended a bold solo run by slotting home the second on 19.

But then Koné pulled one back for Rosenborg out of the blue, bringing the party atmosphere that had already taken hold inside the VELTINS Arena to an abrupt end momentarily. "The way we responded to conceding the goal was important", said Slomka, referring to the 36th minute, when Kevin Kuranyi restored the two-goal lead. "We were also very focused at the back – with the exception of the goal."

Rosenborg's caretaker boss Trond Henriksen took a very different view of the first period: "We knew it was going to be a tough game. Initially we managed to take control of the proceedings, but then we gave away a very stupid free-kick and were punished with the opening goal. We also made it too easy for Schalke for the second goal", he added.

After the interval the Royal Blues were unable to add to the scoring, but they were always much closer to a fourth than Rosenborg were to a second. "When we pulled one back I hoped we'd get back into the game again, but all in all we simply didn't play well enough and we only have ourselves to blame for losing", conceded Henriksen, who was gracious in defeat: "I'd now like to wish Schalke 04 the best of luck for the rest of the tournament."

Slomka was reluctant to think beyond the victory, though: "As a coach you always hope a game like this will have a knock-on effect for the Bundesliga. But today all I really want to do is enjoy the win." And look forward to the fact that Schalke's 100th game in European competition will be a Champions League first knockout round tie at the VELTINS Arena.

Schalke: Neuer – Rafinha, Bordon, Rodriguez, Westermann – Ernst, Bajramovic – Grossmüller, Özil (Kobiashvili 86') – Asamoah (Höwedes 90'+2), Kuranyi (Altintop 88')
Rosenborg: Hirschfeld - Stoor, Kvarme, Riseth, Basma – Skjelbred, Tettey, Strand (Traore 61') - Sapara – Iversen, Kone (Ya 77')
Goals: 1-0 Asamoah (12'), 2-0 Rafinha (19'), 2-1 Kone (23'), 3-1 Kuranyi (36')
Referee: Riley (England)
Attendance: 53,951 (sold out)
Yellow cards: Kuranyi, Bordon – Sapara