Inter Milan 2 Schalke 5: This tie’s not over yet, insists Raúl
Raúl believes Inter could still reach semi-finals despite humiliating 5-2 defeat by Schalke in Milan
Schalke striker Raúl insists Internazionale can overturn a 5-2 first-leg deficit and reach the semi-finals of the Champions League despite the German side’s stunning victory over the holders at San Siro.
Raúl netted Schalke’s third as the visitors twice came from behind to take a commanding lead into the return leg at the Veltins-Arena next Wednesday.
“It was an excellent night, but it’s still not over,” Raúl told Sky Sport Italia. “Inter are full of champions and we know anything can happen in 90 minutes. They won’t give up.
“The first half was balanced and we created plenty. But in the second half we were by far more superior. It’s a result we did not expect.”
Dejan Stanckovic opened the scoring within a minute when the Serbia international capitalised on a rushed clearance from Manuel Neuer and superbly lobbed the Germany number one with a volley from the half-way line.
Joël Matip then equalised for the visitors after 17 minutes when the Cameroonian pounced a loose ball from a Schalke corner.
Diego Milito put the Italian side ahead once more when he steered home Esteban Cambiasso’s accurate header, but Inter’s lead lasted just six minutes after Edu restored parity just before half-time.
Schalke then stormed into the lead in the second half through Raúl’s 70th goal in Europe before an Andrea Ranocchia own-goal and Edu’s second of the night capped a memorable evening for the Gelsenkerchen side.
