Wednesday, 22nd October, 2014
Roberto Di Matteo is more relieved than happy after Schalke managed to earn all three points against Sporting Lisbon last night.
Schalke were cruising at 3-1 with 30 minutes left to play in the Champions League clash, but they allowed the ten men of Sporting to come back and draw level with just more than ten minutes left on the clock.
But Eric Choupo-Moting converted a penalty in stoppage time to win all three points for Di Matteo’s men in the Veltins Arena.
The Italian admits that Schalke had no business allowing Sporting Lisbon to come back into the game after being 3-1 up.
Although he is happy with the eventual outcome, Di Matteo added that his team were inconsistent and should have controlled the game better against the Portuguese, who were a man down after Mauricio dos Santos was sent off in the first half.
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“It was an eventful game. At times, we played very well and controlled the game well”, the Italian told UEFA.
“After they got it back to 3-2, we lost our way a bit and conceded the equaliser when we were badly positioned in defence. But we are very happy to have got the points, which is what we wanted.
“Sometimes things go against your team, sometimes they go for you. Today we had some good luck. I am not disappointed, because we have won. But if you are 3-1 up and have a numerical advantage, you have to control the game much better.”
Schalke move up to second in Group G and will again take on Sporting on 5th November at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
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