Quarter-final: Sofia - Schalke Report
Varela, Lincoln and Asamoah on scoresheet in 3-1 Sofia win
Schalke put themselves in an excellent position for the return leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie with a deserved 3-1 win at Levski Sofia thanks mainly to an fine second-half performance which saw goals by Gustavo Varela, Lincoln and Gerald Asamoah.
Mirko Slomka made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with VfL Wolfsburg at the weekend. Hamit Altintop filled in at right-back for the suspended Rafinha, Marcelo Bordon took the place of Dario Rodriguez in central defence, while Zlatan Bajramovic and Ebbe Sand were replaced by Sören Larsen and Gerald Asamoah up front.
But in front of 39,000 spectators at the Vasil Leski Stadium Schalke got off to the worst possible start, going behind after just six minutes. When Altintop lost possession 25 metres out Daniel Borimirov seized the advantage to burst into the penalty area before poking a low shot into the net.
The goal seemed to unsettle the Royal Blues and it took them ten minutes or so to find their way back into the game. In the 19th minute they launched their hitherto best attack of the match through Altintop and Fabian Ernst, but the Germany international's shot on the turn flew over Georgi Petkov's goal.
Schalke gradually took control and almost equalised on 25 when Larsen hit the top of the crossbar with a header from a Lincoln corner. The Danish striker, who had been cautioned after just 30 seconds for a foul, was fortunate to stay on the pitch seven minutes later, though, when referee Mike Riley elected to give him a warning after another foul. Lucio Wagner narrowly missed the target from the resulting free-kick.
After 35 minutes the English referee was again the centre of attention when he showed Levski's Cedric Bardon the red card after a foul on Levan Kobiashvili, having already booked the Frenchman earlier. But despite their numerical supremacy the Royal Blues fashioned just one further opportunity in the opening period through Marcelo Bordon, whose shot from just outside the box was held by Petkov.
Schalke started the second half with a bang, however, when Gustavo Varela, who had come on for Sören Larsen, grabbed the equaliser barely two minutes in. Lincoln and Kevin Kuranyi combined to progress into the penalty area and when the Brazilian's shot was blocked, Varela was on hand to drive the ball into the net.
Despite going behind the home side continued to pose a threat and looked especially dangerous down the left-hand side. Valeri Domovchiyski had their best chance of the half when he was put in on goal by a neat through ball, but Frank Rost showed just what a tremendous goalkeeper he is, diving at the Levski player's feet to steal the ball off his toe.
It remained an isolated opportunity for the Bulgarians, though, as the Royal Blues began to impose themselves on the game with some fine combination play. Lincoln directed the moves, while Fabian Ernst, who will miss the return through suspension, and Christian Poulsen shored up the defensive midfield area. The Schalke rearguard also looked more stable in the second period.
And playmaker Lincoln it was who provided the next highlight for Mirko Slomka's men, dispatching a curling shot into the Levski net after a pass by Poulsen to give his side the lead. The hosts hit back in an attempt to ward off the impending defeat and created another good opportunity, but substitute Koprivarov's close-range effort was defused by the excellent Rost.
Ten minutes after taking the lead Schalke settled the contest through Asamoah, who had a fine game. Lincoln sent in a corner and when Poulsen's header smacked back off the post, 'Asa' slotted home the rebound with his weaker left foot to give his side a deserved 3-1 lead.
The Royal Blues held their nerve in the closing stages, denying the home side any further opportunities as they saw the game home to the delight of the 400 travelling supporters. Schalke now have every chance of sealing a semi-final place in the return leg at the VELTINS Arena on 6 April.
