FC Schalke 04

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FC Schalke 04 - Heracles Almelo 1:0 (0:0)

Schalke were victorious in front of 2,000 fans in the good old Parkstadion thanks to a goal from Albert Streit (78).

"That was a good thing today. Many players who don't play regularly got important match practice", coach Fred Rutten commented.


FC Schalke 04: Fährmann - Varela, Hasanbegovic, Bordon (61. Stevanovic), Lövenkrands - Ernst, Grossmüller, Ze Roberto - Farfan (46. Heppke), Asamoah, Streit

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Bordon: We’re Going To Hamburg To Win

Schalke captain Marcelo Bordon has stoked the flames ahead of his side’s Sunday trip to Hamburg by saying that the Königsblauen have one thing on their mind- winning.

The Gelsenkirchen club travel north in the sole Sunday fixture this week looking to beat Martin Jol’s table toppers

“Hamburg have a very strong side. They have strengthened their squad well, have a great goalkeeper and an excellent trainer” Bordon confessed.

“With their squad they have the means to become champions” the 32 year old added.

The classy centre back however was also keen to play up the merits of his own side. “We have trained very hard, are well prepared and are all looking forward to the game against the league leaders. But we are going there to win all three points” he vowed.

With a dozen Schalke players away on international duty in the last week, many might see that as a hindrance, but Bordon isn’t so sure.

“They have all trained with their national teams and have to a greater extent been able to get experience at a higher level. Added to that HSV also had 11 players away on World Cup duty so they are in a similar position to us” Bordon added.

Goal.com - Bundesliga - Bordon: We’re Going To Hamburg To Win

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Bundesliga 2008/09, Matchday 8 (PREVIEW):
Hamburg – Schalke

There is only one game on Sunday this week, but what a match it could be. Current leaders Hamburg host fellow title contenders Schalke at the HSH Nordbank Arena.

HSV haven’t absolutely convinced in all their games so far but they have notched up five wins out of seven and striker Mladen Petric has started to hit his best form. The outcome of Saturday’s clash with the Königsblauen will give a good indication of how seriously we can take any potential title challenge from the Rothosen.

Martin Jol will be without both Marcell Jansen and Nigel de Jong after the duo were injured while away on international duty.

Schalke are fifth right now but will be looking to move towards the summit with an away win over HSV. They are however not in the best of league form with a loss to Köln and a draw with Wolfsburg in their last two outings

Schalke trainer Fred Rutten must decide whether to include under-performing Orlando Engelaar in his three man midfield, while Ivan Rakitic and Halil Altintop are fighting for a place in the forward line. Christian Pander is rated as doubtful with a muscle injury.

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Rutten: Draw A Fair Result

Schalke 04 boss Fred Rutten showed himself to be satisfied with his side's performance during the 1-1 draw against Hamburger SV on Sunday.

A goal from Piotr Trochowski on 29 minutes gave Hamburg an early and deserved lead, but Schalke struck back just after the break with a header from Benedikt Hoewedes (48). As the match wore on, sides pressed for the win, but their efforts were to no avail.

"The tie was the fairest result. In the first-half HSV had more of the game, while we still managed to look danagerous," said Rutten. "In the second-half we were clearly on top.

"The style and manner with which we played is going in the direction I had intended.

"I think we can be content. with the performance and the point.

Hamburg regained first place in the Bundesliga, with 17 points in 8 matches, while Schalke moved into a five-way tie for fifth place with 13 points.

Goal.com - Schalke - Rutten: Draw A Fair Result

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Schalke: Uefa Cup ’97- The San Siro Miracle

The Uefa Cup group stage gets underway this week with four German teams looking for European glory. A German side has not won the competition since 1997, when Schalke produced a shock win over favourites Inter Milan. Mathew Burt relives Schalke’s greatest ever night…

The evening of the 21st May 1997 will long live in the memories of Schalke fans as perhaps the famous club’s greatest ever victory. The Königsblauen had won the German league on seven occasions before then- but all before the Bundesliga was formed in 1963. They also had two German Cup wins to their name.

However, the glory and exultation experienced on that unforgettable night in Italy must go down as the Gelsenkirchen club’s greatest ever glory.

Road To The Final

Schalke qualified for the 1996-97 Uefa Cup for the first time in 19 years courtesy of their 3rd place finish in the previous Bundesliga season.

The ‘Knappen’ under Dutch trainer Huub Stevens were drawn against opposition from the coach’s homeland in the form of Roda JC in the first round. A comfortable 3-0 win in the home leg, made the second leg a formality although they were held to a 2-2 in Holland. Nevertheless, a 5-2 aggregate win was a great start to their European campaign.

Next up was Turkish side Trabzonspor with the first leg once again in Germany. A narrow 1-0 win meant that they still had plenty to do in the return leg at the Stadion Avni Aker. A pulsating 3-3 draw meant that Schalke sneaked through 4-3 on aggregate thanks to their home leg win.

Schalke actually lost the first leg of their third round tie against Belgian side Club Brugge 2-1, but then produced a fight back at home to win 3-2 on aggregate. The quarter finals brought up Spanish side Valencia and the Königsblauen produced a fine home first leg showing to win 2-0 and then held Los Ches to a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla.

The semi finals delivered yet more Spanish opposition in the form of CD Tenerife. Schalke lost the first leg 1-0 and needed extra time in the return leg to win 2-0 and book their place in the final. Marc Wilmots scored what turned out tot be the winning goal in the 107th minute.

The Final- 1st Leg Schalke 1-0 Inter

The first leg was at home which back then was the Parkstadion. Their final opponents were overwhelming favourites Inter, who had had a relatively straightforward path to the final. Under English trainer Roy Hodgson, the Nerazurri needed penalties to get past Grazer AK, but were untroubled by Guingamp, Boavista, Anderlecht or Monaco.

The first leg was settled by a brilliant individual goal from Belgian midfielder Marc Wilmots, even the game as a whole failed to really grab the headlines in terms of a spectacle. With 70 minutes gone of Schalke's first European final, Wilmots picked up the ball in the middle of the Internazionale half, took a few strides forward and fired the ball low into the left-hand corner.

Apart from that piece of solo excellence from Wilmots, Schalke didn’t really create much else in what turned out to be a rather mediocre affair. Inter were hindered by the absence of Paul Ince, Frenchmen Jocelyn Angloma and Youri Djorkaeff because of suspension and struggled to get their game together.

Inter's best opportunity came just before the break when Maurizio Ganz broke free on the left but Jens Lehmann touched his shot over the bar. Inter's sweeper, Fabio Galante, was booked and was duly suspended for the return leg.

Line-Ups:

Schalke 04: Lehmann - Thon - Linke, de Kock - Nemec, Müller, Eigenrauch, Büskens (67.Max), Anderbrügge - Latal, Wilmots

Inter Milan: Pagliuca - Bergomi, Galante, Paganin, Pistone - Sforza, Zanetti, Winter, Fresi (62. Berti) - Ganz, Zamorano

The Final- 2nd Leg Inter 1-0 Schalke (1-4 on penalties)

With the final finely poised, Schalke took 25,000 travelling fans to Italy to a packed 83,000 Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan with just a single goal advantage and the odds stacked against them. What transpired however, was the stuff of legend for all Königsblauen fans.

Schalke amazingly beat Inter on penalties to capture their first European club trophy in their 93 year history.

The German underdogs triumphed 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the two sides, with Inter down to 10 men (Salvatore Fresi was sent off in the 90th minute) were level at 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.

Inter's Chilean striker, Ivan Zamorano, had seemingly rescued the Italian side when with six minutes left, he snatched a vital goal with a right-footed flick into the net after the England midfielder Paul Ince headed on a cross from Alessandro Pistone.

Following the sending off of Fresi, Inter played with more purpose and came close to scoring on several occasions. But Schalke kept their nerve.

Inter's hopes of a third Uefa Cup win within the space of a decade faded however in the penalty shoot-out with heroics from keeper Jens Lehmann. The Schalke goalkeeper saved Zamorano's opening effort by diving full length to his left and then Dutch substitute Aron Winter placed his spot-kick wide of the goal.

The French international Youri Djorkaeff provided Inter's only success in the shoot-out. Ingo Anderbrugge, Martin Max and Olaf Thon all scored allowing Marc Wilmots to fire home the winning penalty to send the travelling Schalke fans into ecstasy and make history.

Line-Ups:

Inter Milan: Pagliuca – Bergomi (70. Angloma), Paganin, Fresi, Pistone – Zanetti (120. Berti), Sforza (82. Winter), Ince - Djkorkaeff - Zamorano, Ganz

Schalke 04: Lehmann - Thon - De Kock, Linke – Latal (111.Held), Nemec, Eigenrauch, Müller (98.Anderbrügge), Büskens - Wilmots, Max

Goal.com - Editorial - Schalke: Uefa Cup ’97- The San Siro Miracle

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Schalke suspend duo

FC Schalke 04 have suspended Gustavo Varela and Carlos Grossmüller from training with the rest of the first team until further notice.

Sporting director Andreas Müller and coach Fred Rutten jointly agreed on the measure on Tuesday afternoon.

Exact circumstances unclear

It was taken following talks with the two Uruguayan internationals. "We were moved to make this decision for disciplinary reasons. As to what exactly they are, that's not for the public domain", Müller said afterwards.

Varela and Grossmüller will train with the Schalke 04 reserve squad in the interim .

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UEFA Cup Preview: Schalke - PSG

What: UEFA Cup, Group A, Matchday 1
Who: Schalke 04 vs. Paris Saint-Germain
When: Thursday 23rd October, 1815 CET
Where: Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen

Home Comforts

It is only a short hop from Paris to Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke 04 will eagerly anticipate beginning their UEFA Cup campaign in earnest on Thursday evening. After dispatching of Apoel FC with relative ease in the first round of the competition, the real competition starts for the Germans in the group stages.

Schalke are a club with pedigree in this competition, defeating Inter Milan in 1997 to claim European trophy, although it seems a long shot that the penalty kick success enjoyed by that generation of players will be repeated this year.

Success at home has been pinpointed by German international midfielder Jermain Jones as a key to progressing in the competition. “We are all looking forward to the game,” he told his club’s official website, “I am glad it is against a top international club.

“We need to be a powerhouse. The opponents will get scared it they come out at the arena and it is intimidating. If the fans can back us, we will try to reward them with a good performance on the pitch.”

Events on the field in Gelsenkirchen have been rather overshadowed by those off the park. There is still a great deal of speculation over the future of key striker, Kevin Kurányi, who is rumoured to be off in the summer. The 26 year-old has a formidable strike rate in the German league, finding the net at a ratio of nearly a goal every other game.

Perhaps more public has been the rather spectacular fall-out of Schalke with Uruguayan duo, Gustavo Varela and Vicente Sánchez, who have been relegated to the reserve squad indefinitely for the immediate future due to unspecified disciplinary issues. Although Varela rarely featured for the club, Sánchez was a frequent substitute, appearing six times in league play this season.

Domestically, Schalke are going relatively well, occupying sixth spot having lost just one of their opening eight matches, although they have not tasted success for a month. Draws have blighted the start of their campaign, although the management will see last weekend’s point with league leaders Hamburg as a sound result.

Spinning Around

Critics of the UEFA Cup have claimed, rightly, that it is often discarded by many teams, who see it as such a little brother to the Champions League that it is not worth taking seriously in the early stages. They could certainly point to Paul Le Guen as one culprit for doing this as PSG will travel to Germany with a much weakened squad.

Speaking on Schalke’s website, Marc Wilmots, a former Bordeaux player who would later manage the German side, praised the technical attributes before highlighting some of the main dangers in the PSG side.

“This year they have made some very good transfers,” the Belgian explains, “Kezman, Giuly and Makélélé are players of international class. They have also signed Guillaume Hoarau and Stéphane Sessegnon, who are two exceptionally talented players.”

Little did Wilmots know when he gave the interview that Le Guen would cut all of these players but Kezman from his side (Makélélé, Hoarau and Sessegnon all rested; Giuly injured).

Le Guen has long been a coach who gives the impression of caring little about the competition, even rotating heavily when he first took over at PSG, although he could be excused then due to fighting a relegation battle.

This is not the time to discuss the merits of Europe’s second competition but such heavy rotation from a club who should have aspirations of progressing is somewhat of a smack to the jaw of the UEFA Cup in its current format.

Les Parisiens certainly look like they could be doing with being played into some form as they are hardly firing domestically at present. Although the party line is ‘we simply want to do better than last year’, the true expectations of Charles Villeneuve, the PSG president, must be far higher.

Currently PSG sit ninth in Ligue 1 having edged past Lorient last weekend. Anything outside the top six would have to be classed as a disappointment for Villeneuve, who is rumoured to be looking at Didier Deschamps as a replacement for the much-maligned PLG.

With the political value in winning in the UEFA Cup clearly smaller than that of winning in the league, Le Guen is perhaps taking a sensible course of action by axing his big names.

TEAM NEWS

Schalke 04

Of course, Uruguayan duo Sánchez and Varela are missing for the Gelsenkirchen side due to internal disciplinary reasons, but head coach Fred Rutten has no major injury crisis on his hands at present.

That is not to say there are no concerns in the camp; defenders Krastić, Pander and Kobiashvili are all doubts while squad midfielder Levan Kenia is also struggling.

Predicted line-up: tba

Paris Saint-Germain

Paul Le Guen has no major injury issues for the Parisian club but will wait another week or so to welcome Ludovic Giuly back onto the right-hand side of his midfield.

Le Guen, therefore has a strong squad to select from. Aside from a whole host of rested players - Makélélé, Sessegnon, Hoarau, Camara, Ceara and Bourillon – all of whom would expect to be in PSG’s strongest eleven aside from the latter, that is.

Kezman will likely be deployed in a lone striking role in a 4-2-3-1 system with PSG’s bench likely to look very inexperienced indeed. Mamdou Sakho makes his comeback after nearly two months out injured.

Predicted line-up: Landreau; Malabia, Armand, Sakho, Traoré; Clément, Chantôme; Rothen, Pancrate, Arnaud; Kezman


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Schalke 04

If he’s named in the starting eleven, which is not necessarily likely, then star forward Kevin Kurányi has the potential to reek havoc in the PSG defence. The Brazilian born German international has an incredible goal scoring record with S04, scoring 58 goals in 137 appearances for the club since signing in 2005.

Against a makeshift defence, with good supply from the midfield, expect KK to enjoy tomorrow night’s match.

Paris Saint-Germain

Experience will be all-important for PSG tomorrow as they are likely to name a young looking side that possesses little real European know-how. This is particularly the case in defence so goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau will have to be constantly communicating with his back four and keeping them in line.

After a poor run of form last season, Landreau was dropped from the French international scene, however, since the beginning of this term, he has excelled. While recent weeks may not have lived up to the brilliant August he enjoyed, he could be a potential point-winner in this fixture.

PREDICTION

It’s quite simply impossible to see past a Schalke win in this match, assuming that Fred Rutten does not go all PLG and name a drastically under-strength unit. Schalke should have the class to win this match by ease and, although PSG generally defend relatively well, this could be a case of how many.

Schalke 04 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain

Goal.com - UEFA Cup - UEFA Cup Preview: Schalke - PSG

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Uefa Cup:

FC Schalke 04 v Paris Saint German

Live on ZDF & Aljazeera sport channel 2 {Free channels}

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No Schalke As PSG Are Humbled

After a handful of disappointing performances in the Bundesliga, Schalke continued their march in the UEFA Cup with a solid home win over a much-rotated PSG side, setting them up nicely to qualifying from the group stages.

FC Schalke 04 3–1 Paris Saint-Germain

Picking an almost unrecognisable side, PSG boss Paul Le Guen attempted to play with fire in Gelsenkirchen and ended burned as his youthful squad were comfortably seen off by a home team that rarely looked like they were going to hit first gear.

Despite this, it would take an early Mateja Kezman chance to waken the Germans up. The Serbian forward burst through the home defence but, faced with Neuer, was denied by the young German goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Within a couple of minutes, Schalke had an advantage that they would not relinquish. Kobiachvili would have a bright game on the wing for the German club and would make his first real mark on eleven minutes. A strong run and dangerous cross enticed an error from young defender Larrys Mabiala, who flicked the centre into his own net.

This error brought about a change in momentum to the game, with Schalke beginning to control all areas of the field with relative ease, although les Parisiens did look like they could pose a danger on the counter. Still, it was the Germans who were making the headway, with Rafinha shooting over and Armand forced into a smart piece of defending.

Incredibly, Schalke’s second goal, like their first, was preceded by Kezman missing a presentable chance for their guests. This time the Serb was better placed for a shot at Neuer’s goal yet he dragged his effort wide.

Whereas S04’s opening goal had been somewhat of a gift, the second certainly wasn’t as a moment of magic from Kevin Kurányi (pictured) saw the hosts double their advantage. Having been presented with the ball by Farfan on the edge of the box, the Brazilian-born forward struck a wonderful shot into the top corner of Landreau’s net that left the goalkeeper helpless.

Although the same player would seen a shot blocked at its route by Mabiala moments later, chances would prove sparse for Schalke as they seemed to ease off the accelerator somewhat. PSG even had a lengthy spell of possession at the beginning of the second half, even if they were largely impotent.

Midway through the second period, Schalke displayed just how slick they can be when they wish. A superb long pass picked out Hamet Altintop, who played a neat one-two with Kuranyi before advancing into the box and sending a shot past the hopelessly exposed Landreau.

Seeking to inflict more pain on their young opponents, Schalke created a number of late opportunities. Farfan struck from distance but was denied by Landreau, Jones wasted the opportunity of a quick break from a PSG corner before the visiting stopper produced his best save of the match to deny Altintop.

A late chance to restore some pride was sent past that post by Luyindula, who dived headlong to meet Rothen free-kick after Le Guen had brought the pair on in a futile attempt to take something from the game.

Le Guen’s men would take something, albeit only a scrap of pride as Kezman’s late flick-on was met by Clément Chantôme, who crashed the ball into the net with a first time shot two minutes into stoppage time.

Such a heavy defeat should not surprise the PSG boss, who effectively resigned this match by resting so many key players. Clearly, Le Guen is hoping to take points in the forthcoming match at the Parc des Princes against Racing Santander, which takes place in five weeks time.

Schalke, who also play Santander next, have little to fear as they go to Spain in an excellent position to finish in the top three.

FC SCHALKE 04 3-1 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

1-0 11’ Larry Mabiala (own goal)
2-0 38’ Kevin Kurányi
3-0 68’ Hamet Altintop
3-1 90’ Clément Chantôme

Schalke: Neuer; Rafinha, Kobiachvili, Bordon (Höwedes, 53’), Westermann (Krstajić, 63’); Engelaar, Ernst (Rakitić, 71’), Farfan, Jones; Kurányi, Altintop

Yellow Cards: Rafinha, 59’

PSG: Landreau; Mulumba (Sakho, 46’), Armand, Maliaba, Traoré; N’Goyi, Chantôme, Clément, Sankharé (Rothen, 74’), Arnaud (Luyindula, 74’); Kezman

Goal.com - UEFA Cup - No Schalke As PSG Are Humbled

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Altintop Really Starting To Enjoy Things

Schalke 04 star Halil Altintop was brimming with enthusiasm following his side's comprehensive victory over French capital club Paris Saint Germain on Thursday.

After a handful of disappointing performances in the Bundesliga, Schalke continued their march in the UEFA Cup with a solid home win over a much-rotated PSG side, setting them up nicely to qualifying from the group stages.

"The response by the fans left no doubt that they were happy with our performance," said the Turkish attacker.

Midway through the second period, Schalke displayed just how slick they can be when they wish. A superb long pass picked out Altintop, who played a neat one-two with Kuranyi before advancing into the box and sending a shot past the hopelessly exposed Landreau.

"There were signs that it was coming and finally we managed to pull off a good one-two that led directly to the goal," he added.

"We knew exactly what we wanted to do go in and the hard work paid off. Best of all, we were clinical in front of goal.

"I'm beginning to enjoy it more and more. I'm able to cut in frequently and show how dangerous I can be in front of goal.

Picking an almost unrecognisable side, PSG boss Paul Le Guen attempted to play with fire in Gelsenkirchen and ended burned as his youthful squad were comfortably seen off by the home team.

"To be honest I could care less about whether the opponents were understrength," Altintop added. "This was a Uefa Cup game and we approached it that way."

Goal.com - Schalke - Altintop Really Starting To Enjoy Things

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Rutten: Mission Accomplished

Schalke 04 boss Fred Rutten after his side's impressive victory over French capital club Paris Saint Germain on Thursday

After a handful of disappointing performances in the Bundesliga, Schalke continued their march in the UEFA Cup with a solid 3-1 home win over a much-rotated PSG side, setting them up nicely to qualifying from the group stages.

"Our goal was to start the group phase off with a win and we managed to accomplish this," beamed the Dutch tactician.

"It is not always easy to play at such a strong level when the expectations are so high, but we managed this and scored three well created goals."

Schalke, who play Santander next, have little to fear as they go to Spain in an excellent position to finish in the top three.

Goal.com - Schalke - Rutten: Mission Accomplished

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BL, MD9:

Schalke 0 - 0 Arminia Bielefeld

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Rutten Unhappy With Schalke Display

Schalke were held to a goalless draw at home by Arminia Bielefeld despite the fact that the visitors were reduced to ten men. Trainer Fred Rutten was, as a result, unhappy with the Königsblauen’s display.

It just didn’t go according to plan for Schalke as they were denied at home by a resolute Bielefeld display. The visitors were handicapped by the second half dismissal of Jonas Kamper, but held out for a point much to Rutten’s consternation.

“I am unhappy with the result. If you want to win, then you have to score, and we didn’t do that today” the Schalke coach explained.

“We had our chances and we gave our all until the 93rd minute but were just unable to gain the victory” he added.

Bielefeld trainer Michael Frontzeck on the other hand was pleased with his side’s efforts. “For us it was important to show a reaction after the poor performance against Wolfsburg. We did that, so I am happy.

“We fought well and counter-attacked quite well. Dennis Eilhoff in goal was fantastic. The second yellow card for Kamper was understandable, but the first was a joke.”

Goal.com - Schalke - Rutten Unhappy With Schalke Display

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Schalke lose touch with the top

Schalke 04 are falling ever further behind the league leaders. A 0:0 home draw to Bielefeld was their game in a row without a Bundesliga win.

For Schalke fans, the game was a disappointing affair just two days after the team's 3:1 UEFA Cup win over Paris St. Germain. They struggled against Arminia Bielefeld - a team they had beaten in their last eight encounters - with the game ending in a lacklustre scoreless draw.

Bielefeld compact in defence

Schalke coach Fred Rutten opted for a more attacking formation, replacing Orlando Engelaar with Ivan Rakitic in his starting line-up. But the Royal Blues failed to spark against the compact Arminia defence.

Despite lacking internationals Heiko Westermann and Christian Pander, Schalke made good chances for themselves. Most ended up in the hands of solid Arminia keeper Dennis Eilhoff. He kept out shots from Jermaine Jones (2. ), Rakitic (49.), Jefferson Farfan (65.) und Halil Altintop (72.).

Even after Arminia were reduced to 10 men when Jonas Kamper (60.) was sent off for a second yellow card, the visitors kept Schalke at bay.

Wichniarek and Kamper miss chances

On the rare occasions when they broke from defence, Arminia looked dangerous in front of goal. Goal grabber Artur Wichniarek went close with a header after 30 minutes while Kamper hit the side-netting in the 50th minute after breaking clear.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Rutten Rues Missed Opportunity

Schalke 04 boss Fred Rutten was distinctly unsatisfied after seeing his team squander a series of chances and a one man advantage from the 60th minute during a match that ended 0-0 against Arminia Bielefeld.

The Royal Blues would have moved into the top-three with a victory but there was a sense that it just wasn't meant to be.

"If you want to win you have to score. Simple as that," said the Dutch manager after the match.

"We kept the pressure on all the way up to the 93rd minute and managed to create plenty of chances.

"But the goal just wouldn't come, therefore I - just like everyone else at Schalke - am disappointed by the result."

Schalke have dropped down to seventh as a result of the scoreless stalemate and will be desperate to close the gap on the leaders with a win at home to Kar