Shakhtar too savvy for Schalke
Thursday, February 25, 2016
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Schalke 0-3 Shakhtar Donetsk (agg: 0-3)
Marlos, Facundo Ferreyra and Viktor Kovalenko supplied the killer finishes as the Pitmen sparkled on the break in Gelsenkirchen.
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- Marlos notches stunning opening goal for the visitors
- Facundo Ferreyra adds a second midway through the second period
- Viktor Kovalenko rounds off scoring in the closing stages
- Apply for tickets for the UEFA Europa League final at Basel's St. Jakob-Park
- The round of 16 draw takes place on Friday, streamed live from 13.00CET
Shakhtar Donetsk qualified for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 after producing an excellent counterattacking display to beat Schalke in Germany.
Schalke actually began the better of the two sides, Johannes Geis's free-kick striking the post inside three minutes, before Younes Belhanda tested goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Undeterred, the visitors responded and could have gone ahead through Taras Stepanenko.
Marlos then supplied a wonderful finish to Facundo Ferreyra's square ball in the 27th minute, and while Schalke threatened through the bright Leroy Sané, the Pitmen largely went untroubled until the interval.
Schalke substitute Franco Di Santo headed over after half-time, but the Royal Blues were undone as Shakhtar doubled their lead with another clinical break. Taison eclipsed Joël Matip for pace and teed up Ferreyra to beat the onrushing Ralf Fährmann.
Increasingly desperate, Schalke were caught out again when Taison fed the impressive Viktor Kovalenko, whose fine finish made sure of the Ukrainian team's place in the last 16.
Marlos's touch of magic
Marlos found the net twice in Shakhtar's UEFA Champions League campaign earlier this season, and offered further proof of his abilities here. The Brazilian attacker's impudent finish drew a gasp from all present at the Arena AufSchalke and changed the complexion of the tie entirely.
Sané spark not enough
Although Geis and Sané caught the eye for Schalke, they often found themselves on different wavelengths to their team-mates, with one second-half moment epitomising the hosts' display. With winger Sané in behind, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's pass was too short and easily cleared by the organised visiting defence. Sané struggled to hide his frustration.
The perfect game plan
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu will rightly be pleased with a job well done by his charges. They rode out the initial Schalke storm and were clinical on the counter when they had their chances. It was a savvy showing from start to finish, and few clubs will want to be drawn against the Ukrainians in the last 16.
