Schalke 04 storm past Valencia to qualify for the quarter finals - UEFA Champion’s League update
A brace from Jefferson Farfan and a goal from Mario Gavranovic helped Schalke 04 beat http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Valencia-c40863 3-1 in the second leg of the last 16 round of UEFA Champion’s League at the Veltins-Arena on Wednesday evening. Schalke qualify for the quarter finals after winning
4-2 on aggregate basis.
Schalke made two changes from the team that played in the first leg. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mario-Gavranovic-c23976 respectively. On the other hand, Valencia manager, Unai Emery made several changes to his starting
line-up from the first leg draw at the Mestalla, two weeks back. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Aritz-Aduriz-c6516 started upfront as a lone forward for the hosts in a 4-5-1 formation.
Both teams started cautiously as the hosts enjoyed some good early possession. The visitors could have scored in the eighth minute, when Jeremy Mathieu picked up a well placed corner but dragged his shot just wide of the right post. Schalke’s first real
chance came in the 14th minute, when Farfan sent a lovely cross to the far post which was missed by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-Guaita-c36003.
Moments later, the visitors took the lead through http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Neuer-c23424 to make it 1-0.
The hosts fought hard to snatch an equalizer and finally got it five minutes before the half time whistle. Schalke were awarded a free kick from 25 yards and Farfan capped an impressive display with an equaliser, after his beautiful curling shot found the
back of the net to make it 1-1.
Schalke took the lead seven minutes into the second half, Guaita flapped a cross from the right flank and the rebound fell for Gavranovic, who took a shot which hit both sides of the post before rolling into the goal to make it 2-1 for the hosts.
Valencia came close to equalising with two brilliant efforts. Mathieu’s cross found Aduriz clear on goal but the striker fired his shot into the side nettings. A minute later, Joaquin and Aduriz played a lovely one-two and Aduriz’s shot was brilliantly tipped
over the bar by Neuer to deny the visitors.
The hosts dominated the game and looked set to advance to the next round and they doubled their advantage just on the stroke of the full time whistle. Farfan ran through the opposition half unchallenged and kept his cool to send a deft chip over the keeper
to make it 3-1 for the evening and 4-2 on aggregate.
Schalke completed a well deserved victory and advanced to the quarter final round.
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