take that weak stuff out of here

By: Porter | October 23rd, 2008

Seriously, what was that?

I was primed and ready for a tough match, expecting to see PSG roll into a defensive marking system with Claude Makélélé in-charge but instead they played the match using substitutes. Left out of their normal lineup from my notes were Claude Makélélé, Guillaume Hoarau, Stéphane Sessegnon, Ceará, Zoumana Camara and Grégory Bourillon and the result was a sub-par match where the outcome was never in question. My apologies for those who find those comments objectionable but I was expecting a lot more in a UEFA Cup match and while I’m pleased to see Schalke take the three points I was expecting this to be an intense match.

Schalke weren’t exactly convincing in their performance although they immediately took it to the PSG reserves. Twelve minutes after the start Levan Kobiashvili cross into the box was redirected by PSG defender Larrys Mabiala into the net for an own goal, giving Schalke the 1-0 lead. PSG lacked any respectable attack and seemed more inclined to clear the ball with every possession just the same. Six minutes before the break, Jefferson Farfán crossed to Kevin Kurányi near the penalty spot and his crisp right-footed drive increased the lead 2-0.

After the break Schalke continues to pressure put PSG seems committed to keeping everyone behind the ball and they can’t make the final breakthrough. Finally Kevin Kurányi and Halil Altıntop play a slick 1-2 with Altıntop making it 3-0. Jefferson Farfan looks intent on adding his name to the scorers list and with twelve minutes remaining he drives a great ball from the right channel that the PSG goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau gets his fingertips on at the last minute and it clears the crossbar. Schalke is definitely on the hunt for another goal as Ivan Rakitić pounds a ball just over the crossbar five minutes later. As the match is concluding, Schalke’s clean sheet is ruined when Jérôme Rothen crosses to Clément Chantôme who puts the ball past Manuel Neuer, who quite possibly has fallen asleep due to inactivity, to make it 3-1.