Schalke '04 0 - Sevilla 0

Schalke: Rost; Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Kobiashvili; Varela (Kuranyi 74'), Poulsen, Ernst (Bajramovic 74'), Altintop (Lincoln 46'); Asamoah, Larsen. 4-4-2.
Sevilla: Palop; Daniel Alves, Javi Navarro, Escudé, David; Jesús Navas, Martí, Maresca, Antonio Puerta (Adriano 82'); Kanouté (Renato 31'), Saviola (Luis Fabiano 61'). 4-4-2.

Goals: None.

A good result for Sevilla in the first leg of their UEFA cup semi-final, a goal-less draw against Schalke giving them a fair chance of reaching next month's final in Eindhoven. Some 3,500 travelling fans were in the Aufschalke stadium in Gelsenkirchen to follow their side in the most important match in their 100 year history, although they had a scare when Palop had to save from Asamoah as the German side dominated the early play.

Sevilla's first real attack didn't come until midway through the first half, Jesús Navas shooting just wide of the post and then bringing a good save out of Rost. Juande Ramos's side suffered a blow soon afterwards though when Kanouté limped off, Renato coming on allowing Maresca to push further forward. Renato himself had an effort blocked soon after the restart, but Palop had to be at his best to keep out Varela and Lincoln.

With ten minutes to Schalke were left with ten men after Krstajic was sent off for elbowing Navas, but even so the German side threw everything forward and Palop saved the day again with stops from Bordon and Larsen. Maresca did have a couple of chances near the end, but the Spaniards were content with the result, setting up a thrilling match next week at the Sánchez Pizjuán stadium in the middle of the local "Feria de Abril" festival. If they do win the celebrations will go on for days!