Schalke 04 and Galatasaray battled to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg of the 2013 Champions League Round of 16.
The draw helps the German side more than the Turkish team as the return leg will be played in Germany. Schalke's away goal gives them a solid tie breaker in the event that the two teams play to a 0-0 draw. This means that Schalke can afford to play a conservative style that aims to stifle its opposition's dynamic offense. On the reverse side, Galatasaray is forced to play an aggressive style in hopes of obtaining an away goal that would level the playing field.
The opening of the game looked like it would be a blowout for Schalke. The German side ran up the field consistently creating chances that they failed to capitalize. Galatasaray eventually stuck first when striker Burak Yilmaz flicked the ball over an oncoming defenseman with his heel and proceeded to rifle the shot into the top of the net to give his team a 1-0 lead. The team had a chance a bit later to tie the game but the rebound off a Didier Drogba shot was blasted into the crossbar by Howedes.
The score remained 1-0 until right before the break when Farfan broke through on goal on the right wing. The Galatasaray defenders converged on him and the winger threw a deft pass to a wide open Jermain Jones who shot it past goaltender Fernando Muslera. Jones became the second American to score in the Champions League knockout stages; the only other player was DeMarcus Beasely in 2005 for PSV Eindhoven.
The second half had its bursts of end to end action, but as the clock wound down, the sides began exercising a more conservative style with minimal risk taking.
The second leg takes place on March 12 in the Veltins-Arena.
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