Led by playmaker Toni Kroos, World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has almost ended Schalke 04’s dreams of pulling off a Champions League upset. The superstar opened the scoring in Gelsenkirchen in the 26th minute, as defending champions Real Madrid came away with a 2-0 win on the night. Shortly before the final whistle, the Portugal international set up Marcelo to score the second (79’) to leave his team in a comfortable position going into the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu in three weeks time.
It was 357 days since their 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Real at the same stage last season, but Schalke’s improved performance this time round was nothing more than a consolation. The Royal Blues, who will be without Kevin-Prince Boateng for the second leg due to suspension, were well organised at the back but were not dangerous enough going forward, which damaged their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Schalke began the game well, with Real finding it hard against a disciplined Schalke side. Even World Champion Toni Kroos, who so often controls possession for Real, had little impetus.
Ronaldo scores to break Schalke hearts
After a shot from Dennis Aogo (20’) and a good chance for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (25’), the Royal Blues fans at a sold-out VELTINS-Arena were hoping that they wouldn’t be on the end of another drubbing- especially because Ronaldo, who scored twice in the same fixture last season, was not causing any real threat.
But that was to change. After a cross from former Leverkusen man Dani Carvajal left Schalke’s defence at sixes and sevens, Ronaldo got his head on the end of it to beat Schalke’s debutant goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. That was his 73rd goal in 110 Champions League appearances.
Platte hits the bar
Real, who have been criticised recently for their performances in Spain, then came into the game and started to play with ease. Schalke were lucky not to concede a second shortly after as Wellenreuther did well to keep out both Benzema (31’) and a Ronaldo free kick (35’). But the Royal Blues were then dealt some bad luck as Huntelaar, who still has one game of his Bundesliga ban still to serve, had to be brought off in the 33rd minute due to a lower-leg injury and headed to hospital to be examined further. 19-year-old Felix Latte replaced the Netherlands international to make his Champions League debut.
Schalke still found it hard after half time, but almost found an equaliser out of nothing through Platte. The youngster’s shot from outside the box came back off the underside of the bar and Atsuto Uchida was unable to convert the rebound (74’). Any hope of a comeback was then dashed with Marcelo’s wonder strike into the top corner . It wasn’t evident the the Spaniards were without the injured Sami Khedira, Luca Modric, Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez. Real played their own game without being tested too much.
