European Champions League

Schalke 1 - Atlético Madrid 0

Schalke: Schober; Westermann, Bordon, Howedes, Pander; Ernst, Jones, Engelaar, Rakitic (Asamoah 78'); Farfán (Altintop 69'), Kuranyi. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Perea, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Antonio López; Maxi, Paulo Assunçao, Raúl García, Simao (Pernía 84'); Sinama Pongolle (Luis García 67'), Diego Forlán. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 30. Pander. Fired shot past Leo Franco into top corner of net.

Disappointment for Atlético Madrid in their return to Europe's top competition after a 12 year absence, a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Schalke '04 leaving them with an uphill battle for the second leg. It always was going to be a difficult draw, and with Agüero away at the Olympic Games they were missing one of their key strikers. With their season due to start before Spain's, the German side were clearly the fitter, and Rakitic and Farfán could both have scored before Pander beat Leo Franco on the half hour mark.

Javier Aguirre's side finally woke up after that, with Schober doing well to save from Maxi and Sinama going close a couple of times either side of half time. He was finally replaced by Luis García, who almost scored with his first touch. But a couple of minutes later Atlético were left with ten men after Antonio López was sent off for a second bookable offence, and after that Aguirre decided that he would make do with the result as it stood. Agüero will most probably be back for the second leg in a fortnight's time, but without an away goal they need to win by two to make it through. A nervous two weeks await for Atleti's long-suffering fans!