Schalke 04 have taken a big step to the Europa League round of 16 courtesy of a 3-0 away win against Greek opponents PAOK FC. It was a game of few chances in Thessaloniki, but Guido Burgstaller’s opener in the 27th minute meant the Royal Blues always looked in control. Germany players Max Meyer and Benedikt Höwedes brilliantly combined to make it 2-0 eight minutes from time, before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came off the bench to wrap up the scoring in the closing stages of the game.
Schalke start with three Germany internationals
Holger Badstuber was rested for the clash with PAOK, but current Die Mannschaft players Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka and World Champion Benedikt Höwedes did all start for Schalke, who were greeted by a fiery atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium. The noise could have reached another level in the early stages, but Ralf Fährmann was lucky with a loose pass, as well as a shot from Leo Matos that hit the post.
The Royal Blues soon acclimatised to their surroundings though and began to put the hosts under pressure. Goretzka’s long-range shot in the 17th minute saw them get close to the PAOK goal for the first time, before Burgstaller also fired an effort from a tight angle off target just a minute later.
Burgstaller converts first concrete chance
The first real goalscoring opportunity of the game then produced the opening goal. Naldo headed an Alessandro Schöpf free kick on goal, goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos could only parry and Guido Burgstaller was on hand to smash home the rebound from close range in the 27th minute. Schalke gained more confidence with their lead and it rarely looked threatened for the remainder of the first half.
The second half saw S04 able to dictate the play, with PAOK not wanting to over commit and concede more away goals. There were few chances for either side, but as the game drew to a close, the Greek outfit had to do more to find a response, leaving space in behind. Now playing at right back, Benedikt Höwedes raced forward to join an attack and his pinpoint cross was headed in by Max Meyer in the 82nd minute. Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar then put the icing on the cake, half-volleying home a third goal in stoppage time to all but put Schalke’s name in the draw for the round of 16.
Schalke 04 have taken a big step to the Europa League round of 16 courtesy of a 3-0 away win against Greek opponents PAOK FC. It was a game of few chances in Thessaloniki, but Guido Burgstaller’s opener in the 27th minute meant the Royal Blues always looked in control. Germany players Max Meyer and Benedikt Höwedes brilliantly combined to make it 2-0 eight minutes from time, before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came off the bench to wrap up the scoring in the closing stages of the game.
Schalke start with three Germany internationals
Holger Badstuber was rested for the clash with PAOK, but current Die Mannschaft players Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka and World Champion Benedikt Höwedes did all start for Schalke, who were greeted by a fiery atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium. The noise could have reached another level in the early stages, but Ralf Fährmann was lucky with a loose pass, as well as a shot from Leo Matos that hit the post.
The Royal Blues soon acclimatised to their surroundings though and began to put the hosts under pressure. Goretzka’s long-range shot in the 17th minute saw them get close to the PAOK goal for the first time, before Burgstaller also fired an effort from a tight angle off target just a minute later.
Burgstaller converts first concrete chance
The first real goalscoring opportunity of the game then produced the opening goal. Naldo headed an Alessandro Schöpf free kick on goal, goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos could only parry and Guido Burgstaller was on hand to smash home the rebound from close range in the 27th minute. Schalke gained more confidence with their lead and it rarely looked threatened for the remainder of the first half.
The second half saw S04 able to dictate the play, with PAOK not wanting to over commit and concede more away goals. There were few chances for either side, but as the game drew to a close, the Greek outfit had to do more to find a response, leaving space in behind. Now playing at right back, Benedikt Höwedes raced forward to join an attack and his pinpoint cross was headed in by Max Meyer in the 82nd minute. Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar then put the icing on the cake, half-volleying home a third goal in stoppage time to all but put Schalke’s name in the draw for the round of 16.
