Schalke 04 Vs. Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League: Schalke Through To Face Manchester United InSemifinal

Schalke 04 are through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time, having defeated Inter Milan 2-1 on the day, and 7-3 on aggregate, easily disposing of the title holders. Raúl put the home side ahead just before the break, and although Inter were able to answer through a goal by Thiago Motta, the visitors never appeared as though they’d be able to score the requisite five goals to put them ahead in the tie, even without the fine work of Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Sure enough, it was Schalke that got the final goal of the match, through Benedikt Höwedes, and earned the right to face Manchester United in the next round.

Although it was Inter Milan that clearly needed to score in the first half, the attacking players just couldn’t find a shot, with Wesley Sneijder and Yuto Nagatomo both sending attempts well over the crossbar, while Maicon scuffed a free kick routine way wide. Instead it was Schalke, still intent on attacking, that opened the scoring. Raúl split apart the Inter defense to go one on one with Júlio César, who responded by falling over in an attempt to get at the ball. The Spaniard simply stepped aside to put the ball in the net.

Just before the halftime whistle and Raúl has scored for Schalke, likely putting the final nail in the coffin of Inter’s dreams, with their hopes of recapturing the Champions League title now as good as buried. But enough of the metaphors, let’s get to the goal. José Manuel Jurado took the ball upfield before laying off a light little pass to Raúl, who easily split apart the Inter defense. The forward then went one-on-one with Júlio César, who rushed out to meet him before falling over in an attempt to reach the ball. Raúl merely sidestepped the prone keeper to put the ball into the back of the net.

That makes a 6-2 aggregate scoreline, with Inter now having to score every nine minutes to win the match. They were able to do it a few weeks ago against Genoa, but lightening never strikes twice in the same place.

Schalke Starting XI: Neuer - Uchida, Höwedes, Metzelder, Sarpei - Papadopoulos, Matip - Baumjohann, Jurado - Raul, Edu

Bench: Schober, Plestan, Junmin, Schmitz, Charisteas, Karimi, Drazler.