Schalke 04 defeated Inter Milan 2-1 on Wednesday as they handily finished off the harmless title holders for a first European Champions League semi-final berth in club history, against Manchester United.
Coming off a 5-2 gala at San Siro last week, Schalke's Spanish
veteran Raul Gonzalez was on target in the 45th for his 71st goal in the elite event and set up Benedikt Hoewedes for the 81st minute winner before celebrating the big occasion with the fans in the stands.
Thiago Motto scored for Inter who crashed 7-3 in the quarter-final tie.
"We showed our potential in both games. We did the first job in Milan, but also wanted to win today," said Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder.
Inter defender Javier Zanetti said: "Of course there is bitterness. Raul's goal came on an error and that compromised our qualification."
The semi-finals are set for April 26 at Schalke and May 4 at Old Trafford. United eliminated English rivals Chelsea on Tuesday. The winner meets either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the May 28 Wembley final.
"We are not the favourites. But we will try our best," said Schalke's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Under the eyes of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Inter seemed in no hurry in search for the miracle they required as Schalke controlled early action.
The Italians gradually got more possession, but lacked inspiration. Wesley Snijder's shot in the 13th was harmless far off target, and Samuel Eto'o then blocked on the edge of the area.
Schalke seemed content to keep Inter out of the penalty area without pushing forward, and Neuer palmed away a 36th-minute effort from Dejan Stankovic, scorer of the stunning opener from 50 metres a week ago.
The hosts opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Jurado threaded the ball between two defenders to Raul, who ran into the penalty area, rounded Cesar and slotted into the empty net.
Motta got the equalizer four minutes into the second half in a goalmouth scramble, but that still left Inter four goals shy of the semis against a team that has improved vastly and won all four matches since Ralf Rangnick replaced Felix Magath as coach three weeks ago.
Inter's fate was sealed for good in the 81st when Raul set up Hoewedes, who blasted a low shot past Julio Cesar for the final 2-1 scoreline and a perfect 5-0 home record in the current European campaign.
Schalke have now stung Inter a second time on the continent, having also beaten them (on penalties) in the 1997 UEFA Cup final.
Coming off a 5-2 gala at San Siro last week, Schalke's Spanish
veteran Raul Gonzalez was on target in the 45th for his 71st goal in the elite event and set up Benedikt Hoewedes for the 81st minute winner before celebrating the big occasion with the fans in the stands.
Thiago Motto scored for Inter who crashed 7-3 in the quarter-final tie.
"We showed our potential in both games. We did the first job in Milan, but also wanted to win today," said Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder.
Inter defender Javier Zanetti said: "Of course there is bitterness. Raul's goal came on an error and that compromised our qualification."
The semi-finals are set for April 26 at Schalke and May 4 at Old Trafford. United eliminated English rivals Chelsea on Tuesday. The winner meets either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the May 28 Wembley final.
"We are not the favourites. But we will try our best," said Schalke's Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Under the eyes of United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Inter seemed in no hurry in search for the miracle they required as Schalke controlled early action.
The Italians gradually got more possession, but lacked inspiration. Wesley Snijder's shot in the 13th was harmless far off target, and Samuel Eto'o then blocked on the edge of the area.
Schalke seemed content to keep Inter out of the penalty area without pushing forward, and Neuer palmed away a 36th-minute effort from Dejan Stankovic, scorer of the stunning opener from 50 metres a week ago.
The hosts opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Jurado threaded the ball between two defenders to Raul, who ran into the penalty area, rounded Cesar and slotted into the empty net.
Motta got the equalizer four minutes into the second half in a goalmouth scramble, but that still left Inter four goals shy of the semis against a team that has improved vastly and won all four matches since Ralf Rangnick replaced Felix Magath as coach three weeks ago.
Inter's fate was sealed for good in the 81st when Raul set up Hoewedes, who blasted a low shot past Julio Cesar for the final 2-1 scoreline and a perfect 5-0 home record in the current European campaign.
Schalke have now stung Inter a second time on the continent, having also beaten them (on penalties) in the 1997 UEFA Cup final.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire