Unlucky Schalke goes down

Barcelona secured a crucial away win over FC Schalke, the story would have different had the hosts been a bit more lucky. Schalke will travel to the Camp Nou to play the return leg next week.

FC Schalke 0-1 FC Barcelona

Goal: Bojan Krkic[12']

Venue: Arena AufSchalke

Attendance:53,951(sold out)

Referee:Vassaras (Gre)

The Arena AufSchalke witnessed a spirited performance by the Royal Blues, challenging the European heavy-weights Barcelona. The game started slowly and the visitors gained the upper hand when Bojan slotted in the only goal after eleven minutes, thanks to the wonderful play by Iniesta. The fans were awesome and did their best from the stands, repeatedly getting behind their team, but genuine chances to equalise failed to materialise

The Mindset

Frank Rijkaard and his men had to put their recent run of poor form behind and show that why they are one of the most feared teams in Europe. Barca's strength certainly depended on the passing game and the highly talented midfiled duo - Xavi and Iniesta. Mirko Slomka, on the other hand had to stop Barca's unbeaten run in Europe to go to the semifinals of the Champions League. He had a great combination of pacy attack and solid defence in his hand.

The Schalke boss made just one change to the side that faced Karlsruhe in the Bundesliga on Saturday, Levan Kobiashvili replacing the suspended Jermaine Jones role in midfield.

Rijkaard was more than happy to welcome Milito back to the sqaud after injury and had the attacking trio of Henry, Eto'o and the young Bojan upfront.

The Goal

Schalke started slowly and tried to build-up, but they showed far too much respect for the Spanish giants. This allowed Barca to take control of the game and they passed with ease and started their slow build-up. Xavi and Iniesta controlled the midfield well and the latter's unchallenged run found Henry in the left wing. Thierry Henry's strike was parried by Neuer and the frenchman's reactions was faster than the German keeper as he rolled the ball across onto the incoming Bojan,who prodded home from close range.

Barcelona were very good down the flanks and put Schalke under pressure forcing them to commit mistakes. Slomka recounted a string of mistakes,"The goal tells you everything: we gave them too much space in midfield, instead of preventing the pass we left them the gap, and we could have blocked the first shot better and been more alert on the rebound."

This goal makes Krkic the second youngest player to ever score in the Champions League,behind Ofori-Quaye.

With the lead, Barca looked more sharp in passing and they enjoyed their play by passing across the midfield.

Chances in the first-period

FC Schalke had their first clear chance just before the half-hour mark, Westermann's shot flew just over the bar. Krkic had another go at the goal when he received a cross from Eto'o, but the impressive Bordon clipped it past the post for a corner.

Change of strategy

Barcelona had a visible dip in the second half clearly because the Royal Blues drew the right conclusions from the frist half. Slomka used their pacy forwards to launch early attack on Barca's backwall forcing them to play long balls. This helped Schalke to build up the pressure and dominate in the second half, thanks to their superiority in the air. "We showed a marked improvement in the second half. We had a lot of very good chances - including some headers, which was what we wanted. We would have deserved an equaliser, there's no question about that, but unfortunately we didn't get one." said Slomka.

Barca had to sit back and defend in the final stages of the match looking to play on the break with Iniesta leading the attack. Schalke had their best spell of the game in the final quarter and they will rue the chances they missed.

Chances in the second half

Barcelona did not have many chances in the second period except for Iniesta's shot from midway through the half and Zambrotta's deadly cross to Henry, which Neuer got the better of.

Schalke began to move closer to find an equaliser with Asamoah, Altintop and Soren Larsen all having a go at the goal. The crowd were energetic and loud appeals for penalty were heard when Abidal challenged Westermann in the box. Bordon and Sanchez continued to lurk inside Barca's box, but were not able to find the target with stoppage-time headers. Larsen powered a header meeting a superb cross from Rafinha, forcing Valdes into a flying save moments before the referee blew the final whistle.

The second half showed that the Royal Blues still have a chance, but an equaliser would have been a huge relief.

The teams will play again in Camp Nou,Barcelona next week and Schalke will have to score to go through to the semi-finals. Barcelona will be more confident to play them at home with Messi and Ronaldinho probably making a return in the second leg.

FC Schalke:Neuer - Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Westermann - Ernst, Kobiashvili - Asamoah (Larsen 74'), Pander - Kuranyi (Sanchez 60'), Altintop (Lovenkrands 88')

FC Barcelona:Valdes - Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal - Xavi, Toure (Marquez 74'), Iniesta - Eto'o (Giovani 82'), Krkic (Sylvinho 86'), Henry

Cautions:

Pander, Larsen, Ernst, Krstajic,

Milito, Giovani, Marquez, Puyol.