Schalke 04 claim first European points against SL Benfica
Schalke 04 claimed their first European win of the season against Benfica on Wednesday, overcoming the Portuguese champions 2–0 at the Veltins-Arena.
Felix Magath started with Jefferson Agustin Farfan, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Raul Gonzalez in attack as he continued to search the right formation for Schalke. His offensive tactics paid off in the second
half, when Farfan and Huntelaar claimed a goal each to earn a hard-fought victory.
"Of course I'm satisfied with our win. I'm very pleased with the team's performance and with the final result," the German manager said after the game.
"It was a very difficult match and we were a bit unlucky before the break. However, we were the better side of the two and fully deserved our win."
Schalke rewarded in the second half
Huntelaar had two goals disallowed for offside early on, as the Dutchman showed clear signs of his recent form in front of goal.
Benfica also came close to scoring in the first half. Maximilliano Pereira's throw in was flicked on to the far post for former Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola to volley just wide after 15 minutes.
Raul made a clever overlapping run to latch on to Jose Manuel Jurado's return ball with 41 minutes played, but the Spaniard's effort rebounded off the left post. The ball fell to Ivan Rakitic, whose effort
was saved by Roberto Jimenez Gago in Benfica's goal.
Farfan cut inside from the right wing in the early stages of the second half, but the Peruvian overhit his strike to send the ball into the stands.
Schalke gave the home fans reason to cheer in the 73rd minute, when Farfan collected a cross from Lukas Schmitz on the right side of the area, took a touch for control and hit the ball into the far corner
of the net.
Twelve minutes later, Raul drove towards the Benfica box, laying the ball off to substitute Jermaine Jones on the left flank, whose squared ball was converted by a stretching Huntelaar in the area.
The Germans held on to earn only their third competitive victory this season and keep their hopes of qualification to the knock-out stage alive.
Magath's team are now tied with the Portuguese on three points in Group B, which Olympique Lyonnais lead with two straight wins. Happoel are fourth after two successive defeats.
Schalke host Happoel in their next European game on 20 October.
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