Espanyol 0 - Schalke '04 3

Espanyol: Kameni; Jarque, Lopo, Pochettino, Domi (Juanfran 68'); Zabaleta (Jofre 68'), Edu Costa, De la Peña, Armando Sá (Corominas 57'); Luis García, Pandiani. 4-4-2.
Schalke: Rost; Rafinha, Bordon (Kläsner 76'), Krstajic, Kobiashvili; Poulsen, Ernst, Bajramovic, Lincoln; Asamoah (Sand 66'), Kuranyi (Larsen 74'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 54. Kuranyi. Header down past Kameni on far post from Rafinha cross.
0-2. 70. Sand. Ran on to chipped pass from Kuranyi and rounded Kameni to score.
0-3. 73. Lincoln. Bent free kick over defensive wall into far corner of net.

Espanyol are out of the competition after a heavy defeat to Schalke. The Catalans were trying to turn over a 2-1 result from the first leg, and Miguel Angel Lotina (watching from the stands due to a suspension) put out a side with three central defenders at the start. And for most of the first half they were on top, although they failed to create any real chances and only an effort from Doni over the crossbar gave the home fans anything to shout about.

The German side stepped up a gear after the break though, Kuranyi opening the scoring with a header from Rafinha's cross. Espanyol now needed two just to take the game to extra time, but Sand cut through a few minutes later to make it two. And with local heads bowing, Lincoln curled a free kick past Kameni to put the result beyond doubt. Larsen could have got a fourth at the end if he could have steered his shot on target, but by then the game was more than over.

The only good side is that the locals can now organize their suspended cup semi-final against Deportivo, which should take place on or around 8th March. That and a few days rest, which the tired legs clearly need to be able to defend their delicate position in the league.