REAL MADRID - 3 SCHALKE 04 - 4 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL RESULT

Real Madrid qualified for the Quarter-Final stage of the UEFA Champions League after winning the tie 5 - 4 on aggregate, BUT losing tonights game 3 - 4. The two away goals scored at Germany became vital & the factor that keeps Real Madrid in the competition even though their performance tonight was a real shocker, one to forget.

Real Madrid was on the verge of disaster & faced the real risk of elimination right up till the very end. Schalke 04 put in a marvellous performance going after a slim hope that was becoming a possibility as the minutes went by. Real Madrid was always behind the Germans & played catch-up (panic) Football all match. The Spaniards made mistakes close to the goal & failed numerous passes that were - lucky for them - not all fully taken by Schalke 04 to have caused severe damage.

It was one of the worst performances of the season by Real Madrid & it has only caused more doubt & extreme worry with fans, technical team & Directives if their faces tonight were any indication. The team received a severe reprimand from the home fans with whistles that were aimed at most of the Real Madrid players, Gareth Bale being a main target, along with Coach Ancelotti. The later surprised everyone before the match giving a start to Coentrao, Arbeloa & Khedira, all three later substituted.

The only player sparred tonight was Cristiano Ronaldo who individually saved his team by scoring two vital goals in two critical phases of the match. The Portuguese is not at his best form but he was the only player to "clinch his teeth" & push through Real Madrid into the Q/Final stage of the competition.

There was some good news for Real Madrid, the return of Luka Modric after 144 days sidelined with injury. His appearance mid second half calmed his side, allowed the ball to flow better & showed all the qualities of the top class player he is & that Real Madrid has been desperately missing. Benzema scored the other goal but one cannot say he was at his best either, thank god for his goal.

Schalke 04 leave unlucky & should depart proudly as they defeated squarely Real Madrid tonight. Great game from former Real Madrid player Huntelaar (2 x goals) & impressive performance from youngster Sané, great goal included, who showed promise & real class. 

The goals came in the following order:

• Fuchs 21st min , 0 - 1
• Cristiano Ronaldo 25th min, 1 - 1 
• Huntelaar 40th min, 1 - 2
• Cristiano Ronaldo 45th min, 2 -2
• Benzema 52nd min, 2 - 3
• Sané 56th min, 3 - 3
• Huntelaar 84th min, 3 - 4

A serious, difficult & worrying period ahead for Real Madrid as they go into the upcoming "clasico" Liga match with FC Barcelona wounded & psychologically lacking confidence. Will they get out of this hole?

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SCHALKE 04 0 - REAL MADRID 2 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH RESULT

UEFA Champions League for Spanish Football & Club Real Madrid as they visited Germans Schalke 04 for their 1º leg match. The final result was a 0 - 2 win by Real Madrid over Schalke 04. Relatively comfortable for the Spaniards with a few close moments in the second half that could have turned things around. But in the end Real Madrid goes into the upcoming 2º leg return clash with two valuable away goals that gives them a huge advantage to continue on in the competition barring a "Football accident" here in Madrid.

As the above Real Madrid team photo shows, the novelty was the start of new Brazilian signing Lucas Silva over Illaramendi (came on later) & Benzema in doubt due to flu.

The game swayed at times, as the Germans placed a well organized & disciplined set up which hampered the Real Madrid play. In fact, the Spaniards started with long balls as the midfield was crowded with Schalke 04 pressuring. However, the individual talents of the Real Madrid players found their groove & began to dominate.

The first goal came in the 26th min when Cristiano Ronaldo headed a perfectly placed Carvajal pass. The Portuguese player later had more goal opportunities but he was foiled in his attempts by the German defenders or their goalkeeper. Unfortunately for Schalke they lost Huntelaar - & fire power upfront - to injury in the 32nd min.

The second half saw a more determined Schalke which played better & even created goal opportunities hitting the cross-bar mid way through the half. If the ball had gone in we may have been talking about a different outcome, but Marcelo scored the Real Madrid second goal & sealer in the 79th min. A "blinder" riffled shot from a Ronaldo assist that could not be stopped by young goalie Wellenreuth of Schalke. 

Lastly, great match from Carvajal & Isco for Real Madrid, while Boateng caught my attention for Schalke 04.

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REAL MADRID WIN 1 - 6 AT SCHALKE 04 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT

The last Spanish Football Club with UEFA Champions League duties, Real Madrid returns home from Germany with a 1 - 6 victory over Schalke 04. Impressive scoreline that puts Real Madrid virtually into the quarter-finales of the tournament  barring an terrible accident in the return leg match in Madrid.

Traditionally German territory has been a "nightmare" for Real Madrid. However, tonight that "bad spell" was turned into a tale as the Spanish Team showed themselves to be far more superior on all levels. The locally ( Spain ) named term the "B.B.C" ( Bale, Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo ) had their night with two goals each. They combined in differing fashion between themselves & with Di Maria, Modric, Ramos ...etc , to rip the German defence apart.

Schalke 04 was dangerous the first 10 minutes as they came out revved up but their enthusiasm was washed with the first Real Madrid goal in the 13th min by Karim Benzema. Immediately after this Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas made a miracle save to stop Drexler equalizing that further put out the German fire - the Iker Casillas save was spectacular. 

From here until the end of the match Real Madrid was the owner of the encounter & could have scored more goal had the Schalke 04 keeper Fhrmann not intervened in a number of occasions. The goals rained down on the Germans who continued on with honourable pride & they managed a consolation goal in the 91st min when Huntelaar connected onto a ball to burst the leather passed Real Madrid goalie  Iker Casillas. The goal of the night went to the Germans. 

Impressive exhibition from Real Madrid & its forward line.   

Goals & goalscorers:

• Karim Benzema 13th min, 0 - 1
• Gareth Bale 21st min, 0 - 2
• Cristiano Ronaldo 52nd min, 0 - 3
• Karim Benzema 57th min, 0 - 4
• Gareth Bale 69th min, 0 - 5
• Cristiano Ronaldo 89th min, 0 - 6
• Huntelaar 91st min, 1 - 6

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RAUL GONZALEZ INTERVIEW WITH THE GUARDIAN

One of the greats of SPANISH FOOTBALL & of REAL MADRID still very active at German Club SCHALKE 04, RAUL GONZALEZ BLANCO, has giving a great interview to English paper "The Guradian" as part of the build up to the semi  final Champions League clash against Manchester United next Tuesday night. 

Raul Gonzalez

I put the link below for you to visit & read the excellent interview by Football journalist Sid Lowe, where Raul talks about Schalke 04, German Football, Manchester United, team-mates, Iker Casillas, Real Madrid & Champions League...: 

Raúl: 'We dream of beating United. Let's see if we're the better team'
The former Real Madrid striker has found a new lease of life at Schalke ...

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HOLA RAUL | SCHALKE 04 SPANISH FOOTBALL PLAYER WINS THE HEARTS OF THE GERMAN FANS

Spanish Football Players have historically been very timid in their majority in leaving home shores to play elsewhere in Europe, the language & the cultural difficulties have often been cited as importante causes.

That has all changed in the last few years with many Football players going & currently playing in the English Premier League, the Budesliga, Greece, Russia, Italy, Turkey...etc. The fact is that many are doing quiet well indeed for themselves & with their team becoming local stars & heroes.

So much is the adoration towards some Spanish born players overseas that "field chants - songs" have been created by the local fans to cheer them on, the most recent famous example being Liverpool with their ode to Fernando Torres with the local super-hit "Liverpool´s Nº9" before leaving to Chelsea.

Now we have another song getting on the "airwaves" from German team fans SCHALKE 04 & towards their Spanish foward , ex - Real Madrid Captain, RAUL GONZALEZ BLANCO. Spanish musician Rafael de Alcala & German Forster Volker have recorded "HOLA RAUL". Apparently it is a local hit!

The song is the least of the news, great to hear obviously, but not the main point. The caption is that RAUL has settled in nicely with his new Club, has won the hearts of the Schalke 04 fans & is again enjoying playing Football & added to this, is still creating milestones. Thats the big & good news, great story & happy fun song at that...

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SCHALKE 04 3 VALENCIA CF 1 (AGG 4 - 2) KNOCK OUT THE SPANIARDS FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

German Club SCHALKE 04 defeated VALENCIA CF 3 -1 tonight ( 4 - 2 agg) to advance into the Q/Finals stage of CHAMPIONS LEAGUE &thus end the hopes of the Spanish Team.

Benega for Valencia CF

The Spaniards started well & showed signs of being able to take the match to their territory with promising play. Valencia scored first via RICARDO COSTA with the a header in the 16th min. This woke up the Germans into a more aggressive playing mode as they increased their attacks seeing that they needed to score to remain alive.

The equalizer came via a magnificent free-kick from Schalke Peruvian player FARFAN in the 40th min that gave "wings" to the Germans.

Gavranovic scores for Schalke 04

The death blow came for Valencia Cf in the 52nd min when GAVRANOVIC scored the second for Schalke 04 which forced Valencia CF to look for their second & thus be able to qualify with away advantage . This made Spanish Coach Emery put onto the field attacking players like Soldado, Jonas & Tino Costa to go all out to attempt to find the important goal & thus in doing so increased the risks in defence as the whole team bulked forward.

The initial Spanish pressure was halted by Germam goalie Neuer with a couple of miracle saves & a solid defence lead by Metzelder. As time went by the nerves increased for the Spaniards & they took more risks with their set up & attacking plays. They finally paid for this necessary adventure with loss of the ball, Gavranivic hitting the bar & the "killer" final third goal for Schalke 04 from "man of the match" FARFAN in the 92nd min.

The Germans Club Schalke 04 with their Spaniards Raul, Escudero & Jurado continue along the Champions League road.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT 1st LEG | VALENCIA CF 1 SCHALKE 04 1

The EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE competition began again tonight with the last 16 team stage with Spanish Football Club VALENCIA CF hosting German Team SCHALKE 04 in their 1º leg match. The final result was a 1 - 1 draw after an intense, rapid & chances filled game of soccer.

Raul scores for Schalke 04

The first half was basically all Valencia CF dominanting & creating chances. One of those chances turned into goal when Aduriz crossed into the path of SOLDADO who scored in the 16th min. The Germans created a few chances but Valencia kept them under control.


The second half was another story as Valencia looked tired from their first half efforts & the defence looked wobbly. Valencia Goalkeeper Guaita was stopping more & more German shots until ex-Real Madrid player RAUL GONZALEZ did his "party-trick" in the box to leave his defender & score the equalizer. The goal left the stadium cold with disbelief as Schalke 04 had come back & taken control of proceeding. Things remained that same until the end & Schalke go home with a great result that forces Valencia to go all out in the 2º leg.

Staying with the "incredible"  RAUL, he overtakes German legend Gerd Muller with his goal tonight as the "Hightest Goal scorer in European Competitions" with now 70 goals in 142 European games. Gerd Muller had the record until tonight with 69 goals in 77 games.

Tomorrow
Arsenal - FC BARCELONA
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ATLETICO DE MADRID EYES SCHALKE 04 MIDFIELDER IVAN RAKITIC

Spanish Sports newpaper daily “AS” highlights today that ATLETICO DE MADRID has a firm eye on 22 year old SCHALKE 04 midfielder IVAN RAKITIC. The Spanish Club has been following the youngster & has the player in its 2011 – 2012 season plans.

Ivan Rakitic

The key here is that the player becomes free at the end of the season – 30th of June 2011– thus allowing Atletico to avoid making an economic investment. The Spanish Club hasn’t as yet made personal contact with Rakitic but, according to the paper, the player is aware if the Spanish Clubs interest. Stay tuned! Tweet

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ATLETICO DE MADRID TRANSFERS MIDFIELDER JURADO TO SCHALKE 04

Hi guys. Was invited yesterday to watch Atletico de Madrid & Sporting de Gijon at the Vicente Calderon stadium & had a great time watching Atletico win 4-0. I also watched Atletico player JURADO play his last game with Atletico, as it is official that he has been transferred to SCHALKE 04

The German Club pays 13M€ & offers the player 4 seasons with a 4.5M€ salary per year. An offer dificult to refuse for a young player who can only keep on growing as a Football player. He joins ex Real Madrid Captain Raul & I am sure that Jurado will give many afternoons of joy to the Schalke fans. Tweet

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REAL MADRID | RAUL TO ANNOUNCE MOVE TO SCHALKE 04 ON MONDAY

The current REAL MADRID Captain RAUL GONZALEZ BLANCO is expected back at the Club from holidays this Monday. However, everything points that RAUL will not be back to work but to announce the end of his many years at the Spanish Club & a move to end his career at German Club SCHALKE 04.

The 33 year old Spanish Football “legend” believes he still has a lot of Football left in him, does not wish to spend another season on the bench at Real & desires to keep playing at the highest level. Schalke 04 offers a new adventure & the possibility to play in the Champions League where he has a chance to break the all time “European tournaments” goal scoring record of German Gerd Muller (69) who is just 2 goals ahead of Raul who currently has 67 goals. The German Club is said to have offered Raul a two year contract.

It is reported that the Real Madrid Captain has already made his decision to leave & will announce it to the Club this Monday with a possible press conference to say goodbye ( if it is all correct) to the fans. Tweet

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REAL MADRID | METZELDER SIGNS FROM FC SCHALKE 04

Source: Sp Ftball Sprt Blog /
The original rumour was Gern Club Wolfsburg, but REAL MADRID German Central Defender CHRISTOPH METZELDER has signed a 3 year contract with FC SCHALKE 04. The player finishes contract with the Spanish Club & his destination has been speculated the last couple of days.


The 29 year old defender has had his transfer made official by Schalke 04 on their Website after they posted & made public the announcement. Metzelder has had a less than active period at Real Madrid mostly due to his bad spell of injuries that have hampered any continual playing time. This has frustrated the player with long periods of time on the bench, & the loss of his place on the German National Team.

I wish him the player luck in his new adventure at Schalke, as I am sure he will be back to his top form playing Football on a regular basis. Tweet

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