Inter Milan's hopes of defending their Champions League title were dealt a blow after suffering a shock 5-2 defeat to Schalke.
German visitors come from behind to run riot in Milan
Inter Milan's hopes of defending their UEFA Champions League title were dealt a severe blow on Tuesday night after suffering a shock 5-2 defeat at home to Schalke.
The first leg of the quarter-final tie at the Giuseppe Meazza saw reigning champions Inter twice pegged back by Schalke before the German visitors stormed ahead to secure a crucial advantage heading into next week's second leg.
A long-range wonder strike from Nerazzurri midfielder Dejan Stankovic got things under way after just 23 seconds, marking the fifth fastest goal in the tournament's history.
The 32-year-old Serbian unleashed a superb effort on the volley from the halfway line which sailed high over helpless Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer, who had come far out of goal to clear Esteban Cambiasso's cross, and landed neatly in the back of the net.
But the Italians could not hold onto their lead for long as some sloppy defending led to the visitors' first equaliser, with Joel Matip burying the ball home after the Inter backline failed to effectively deal with Kyriakos Papadopoulos' header.
Leonardo's men went ahead again in the 33rd minute when Diego Milito capitalised on some solid work from Wesley Sneijder and Cambiasso to apply the perfect finish from in front of goal, but Edu put Schalke back on level ground before the break.
Spanish ace Raul provided the turning point for Schalke after the restart when he slipped around Javier Zanetti to prod the ball past Inter keeper Julio Cesar, then Nerazzuri defender Andrea Ranocchia added to the hosts' woes with a costly own-goal just minutes later.
The Italian giants' evening went from bad to worse when Cristian Chivu was handed his marching orders after a second booking in the 62nd minute, and Edu compounded a miserable night for the hosts when he completed a double 15 minutes from time.
Stunning
It all looked so promising for Inter, who were coming off a 3-0 defeat against derby rivals AC Milan, as they immediately took the lead in stunning fashion.
Neuer advanced out of his area under pressure from Milito and headed clear.
He got good distance but the ball went straight to Stankovic in the centre circle, who showed great technique and power to volley first time over the defence, over Neuer and over the line.
Raul had two good chances to equalise inside the next five minutes, heading first wide and then straight at Julio Cesar.
At the other end, Milito did well down the left to beat two defenders and get a cross in, but Wesley Sneijder could not keep his header down.
But Schalke were level in the 17th minute.
Kyriakos Papadopoulos was left completely unmarked at the far post from Jefferson Farfan's corner and, though his header was straight at Cesar, the ball broke to Matip, who hammered home.
Inter appealed for a penalty when Milito went down under pressure from Atsuto Uchida when through on goal, but referee Martin Atkinson decided there was no foul.
Manuel Jurado then shot straight at Cesar, before at the other end Eto'o had a goal chalked off for offside to bring a hectic opening 20 minutes to a close.
Stankovic's eventful evening - he was also booked - came to a premature end when he succumbed to injury after 24 minutes and was replaced by Houssine Kharja.
But Inter did not let the change knock them out of their stride and they were ahead nine minutes later.
A neat move involving Milito and Javier Zanetti saw Sneijder cross to Esteban Cambiasso at the far post.
Chance
Cambiasso headed back across goal to Milito, who, having stayed just onside, had a simple task to finish from close range.
They could not hang onto their lead until half-time, though, as Edu drew Schalke level, following up to finish from a narrow angle after Cesar had done well to save his initial deflected shot.
Inter should have had a goal a minute into the second half as well, as Sneijder picked out Milito, who controlled well but sent a left-footed shot inches wide of the left post.
Two minutes later, Sneijder played in Eto'o, who turned Benedikt Howedes before seeing his shot brilliantly saved by Neuer.
But it was Schalke who took the lead in the 53rd minute as Raul claimed his 70th Champions League goal, finishing low past Cesar after good work by Farfan.
And it got worse for Inter four minutes later when Ranocchia slid in under no pressure and diverted Jurado's low cross into his own net.
Eto'o had a glorious chance to pull one back moments later but he dragged a left-foot shot wide from 10 yards.
Chivu was shown a second yellow, having also been sent off in the Milan derby, for a challenge on Edu in the 62nd minute which the Brazilian made the most of. They almost paid the price three minutes later when Jurado crashed a shot against the post.
Farfan's 75th minute shot was saved by Cesar and his follow-up effort turned against the post by Ranocchia, but moments later the ball broke to Edu, who turned Ranocchia and curled the ball past the despairing goalkeeper.
A shellshocked Inter rarely threatened thereafter and they will have a mountain to climb in Gelsenkirchen next week.
| Internazionale |
Team Statistics |
FC Schalke 04 |
| 2 |
Goals |
5 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
2 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
11 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
| 4 |
Corners |
4 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
19 |
| 7 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
4 |
| 1 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 87.5 |
Passing Success |
86.1 |
| 11 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 81.8 |
Tackles Success |
68.2 |
| 53.2 |
Possession |
46.8 |
| 45.1 |
Territorial Advantage |
54.9 |
|
