Kuranyi and Rakitic on target as Schalke win 2-1 in Dresden
16.09.2009
Schalke defeated Dynamo Dresden by two goals to one in the inaugural game at the third-division club's new stadium on Tuesday evening. Kevin Kuranyi and Ivan Rakitic got the goals in front of 32,000 spectators. <//font>
Felix Magath made six changes to the side that began in Cologne on Sunday. Lubos Hanzel and Jan Moravek deputised for Marcelo Bordon and Heiko Westermann (both carrying knocks) in central defence, Lukas Schmitz and Lewis Holtby came in for Christoph Moritz and Levan Kobiashvili in midfield, while Halil Altintop and Kevin Kuranyi replaced Levan Kenia and Gerald Asamoah in attack. <//font>
In a cracking atmosphere at the Rudolf Harbig Stadium the Royal Blues got off to a good start against a committed home side. Halil Altintop had the best opportunities early on, but twice met his match in Axel Keller. With three minutes gone the Dynamo goalkeeper turned the Turkey international's shot around the right-hand post and then pulled off another brilliant save when Altintop popped up in front of him again six minutes later. <//font>
The Royal Blues dominated the opening stages, passing the ball around nicely in midfield and pushing forward with great energy. Dynamo also looked to get ball forward whenever possible, but struggled to break down the Schalke defence. Then, after 18 minutes, the home side fashioned their first big chance through Gerrit Müller. After his initial shot had been blocked, Manuel Neuer defused the rebound with a fine save. <//font>
While the Dynamo fans were creating a party atmosphere in the stands, it was Schalke who had cause to celebrate on the pitch on 27 minutes when Kevin Kuranyi collected the ball in the Dresden penalty area and netted from close range to give his side a deserved lead. <//font>
In the ensuing period Schalke controlled the game to such an extent that Dynamo resorted to playing long balls over the top, but the defence stood firm and the Royal Blues went in at half-time deservedly in front. <//font>
Felix Magath's side came out firing after the restart despite six half-time changes. And after playing a superb one-two with Halil Altintop, Ivan Rakitic ran onto the ball in the Dynamo penalty area and curled a shot into the net to put Schalke two up after 54 minutes. <//font>
Halil Altintop was also involved in the next decent move. The Schalke striker collected a fine pass from Levan Kenia and unleashed a shot on the turn from eight metres, only to be denied by substitute goalkeeper Benjamin Kirsten. <//font>
Schalke continued to dictate the play and Dynamo, for all their efforts, were unable to mount a threat on Mathias Schober's goal thanks to some solid defensive work by the men in blue. <//font>
But with seven minutes left the stadium erupted. Mathias Schober had initially caught the ball from a corner but lost control of it as he stumbled moving forward. In attempting to regain possession he then brought down the onrushing Pavel Dobry, and referee Bibiana Steinhaus awarded a penalty, which Maik Wagefeld converted with aplomb. Nevertheless, the Royal Blues saw the game out to record a deserved 2-1 win over the third-division side from Saxony. <//font>
Schalke: Neuer (Schober 46') - Moravek (Pachan 46'), Höwedes, Zambrano, Hanzel (Kobiashvili 46') - Farfan (Rakitic 46'), Pliatsikas, Schmitz, Holtby (Kenia 46') - Altintop (Sanchez 68'), Kuranyi (Asamoah 46')
Dynamo Dresden: Keller (Kirsten 46') - Oppitz (Petrovic 67'), Hübener (Kegel 46'), Zeiger, Trehkopf (Soltau 46'), Nikol, Wagefeld, Müller (Schmidt 70'), Strifler (Kunze 62'), Dobry, Savran (Koch 46')
Goals: 0-1 Kuranyi (27'), 0-2 Rakitic (54'), 1-2 Wagefeld (pen. 83')
Attendance: 32,000 (sold out)
Referee: Steinhaus (Hannover)<//font>
