Kobiashvili at the treble

Low profile
Kobiashvili, the quiet man of the Schalke dressing room, usually sneaks off into the night after a big game to escape the media spotlight. After Wednesday's victory, however, there was no escape for the Georgian international, who gladly answered all the questions from the press after sinking the Dutch champions with three goals and keeping Schalke's hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.

First treble
"I can't remember scoring three goals in a game before. Maybe I have done so in training but never in a game," he said. Kobiashvili, who normally feels more at home in midfield or even at left-back, made the most of the new left-wing berth handed to him by coach Ralf Rangnick with three cool finishes.

Cool customer
Twice the 28-year-old walked to the penalty spot to convert calmly. The former SC Freiburg player might have been shocked by his own showing, but it came as little surprise to his team-mates. "'Kobi' is an extremely cool character and nothing worries him," said goalkeeper Frank Rost. "That is why he is so good from the penalty spot."

Players' decision
Rangnick was in full agreement and hinted that Kobiashvili may take over penalty duties on a more permanent basis. "We hadn't agreed on a player to take penalties beforehand, and with Rafinha and Søren Larsen on the bench, it was up to the players to decide," he said. "But 'Kobi' took a penalty in training the day before the match and scored." The man of the moment confessed he had a good feeling about both spot-kicks. "I felt extremely confident and that is why I took responsibility. In the end it was the right decision."

Eijkelkamp experience
Kobiashvili not only won praise from the home side. PSV assistant coach René Eijkelkamp, a Schalke favourite as a player in Gelsenkirchen from 1997-99, was also impressed. "Kobiashvili is an excellent player," Eijkelkamp said. "He is very dangerous going forward and has an excellent left foot. He must be feeling on top of the world at the moment because a hat-trick in front of the fans here is something to remember," added the 41-year-old.

'Class player'
Rangnick needs no telling how valuable the Georgian is to Schalke's cause. "I don't have to say anything about Levan's qualities because everybody knows he is a class player. He proved he can be a valuable weapon for us," said the boss.

Drought over
With Kobiashvili having scored only three times in his first two Schalke seasons, and without a goal in almost a year, the surprise was he should get three against the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League semi-finalists. Rangnick put this down to the defensive duties he was assigned. "Levan has had to help out at left-back and in other positions in the last 12 months due to injuries and that takes a bit of getting used to."

Milan waiting
Against PSV he took just 18 minutes to grow into his new role. Doubtless Schalke will be hoping he will be able to deliver a similarly spectacular display against AC Milan in the decisive fixture on Matchday 6.