Schalke's best chance of the match may have been the early ball Klaas-Jan Huntelaar whiffed on, but in the 25th minute, they were finally able to test Valencia's replacement goalkeeper. With César still out, Vicente Guaita is in goal for Los Che, and just over half-way through the period, he's made his first contribution, getting a left hand to a Peer Kluge header, putting it off the cross bar, preventing a goal.
UEFA Champions League, Valencia Vs. Schalke: Sides Exchange Chances Near 25 Minute Mark
The chance came from a corner kick, with Kluge attacking the ball at on the far side of the play. Miguel never elevated as Kluge, over the back of Valencia’s right back, nearly evened the score.
Moments later, Miguel was part of a Valencia near miss. A ball played from the left-center of midfield saw Miguel with space wide on the right. Lukas Schmitz could not get out to Miguel in time to prevent a cross from 15 yards from the byline, a ball that found the had of Roberto Soldado, who had two steps on Christoper Metzelder. The flick toward goal went two yards wide of the far post yet served as a second example of the damage Schalke could do wide.
At some point, Felix Magath is going to have to get a better defensive effort from his wide midfielders, Jefferson Farfán and Juando. If neither is going to track their man back into their own third, then Unai Emery’s narrow set-up, relying on his backs for width, will prove a clever tactical ploy. Since near the 10th minute, Schalke’s proven unable to stay with the Valencia backs, the reason why they’re down 1-0.
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