Schalke '04 2 - Espanyol 1

Schalke: Rost; Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Boenisch (Varela 67'); Poulsen, Ernst, Bajramovic (Asamoah 46'), Lincoln; Larsen, Kuranyi (Sand 80'). 4-4-2.
Espanyol: Gorka Iraizoz; Armando Sá, Jarque, Lopo, David García (Sergio Sánchez 82'); Zabaleta, Edu Costa, Ito (De la Peña 78'), Domi; Luis García (Corominas 71'), Pandiani. 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 34. Luis García. Picked up through ball from Ito and rounded Rost to score.
1-1. 67. Bordon. Out-jumped Pandiani to head home Lincoln's wide free kick.
2-1. 88. Ernst. Collected bad clearance and beat Gorka from edge of area.

The tie between Espanyol and Schalke '04 is in the balance after a 2-1 result, although the Spaniards felt themselves unlucky not to have the advantage after going ahead in the first half. Miguel Angel Lotina (who had to watch the game from the stands serving out a ban) was forced to put out a makeshift side, and they were forced back early on by an opponent who have not lost in their home town of Gelsenkirchen all season. Gorka was on fantastic form though, and kept out efforts from Bajramovic, Boenisch and Kuranyi before Luis García collected a pass from Ito and rounded Rost to shoot in to the net from a tight angle.

Gorka was in action again to turn Kuranyi's header against the post on the stroke of half time, but the Catalans came out strongly after the break and were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty when Zabaleta was brought down by Krstajic. However midway through the second half Schalke equalised when Bordon headed home Lincoln's free kick on the far post, and although Lotina ordered his side to defend, Ernst struck home the winner just two minutes from the end. Pandiani could have levelled the scores when he wasted a chance in the dying seconds, but at least Espanyol have the away goal to take into the second leg.