Tedesco acknowledges poor Schalke display

Schalke put in a disappointing performance against Porto in their Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

Published : Nov 29, 2018 12:06 IST

Schalke players react after their 3-1 loss against Porto on Wednesday.
Schalke players react after their 3-1 loss against Porto on Wednesday.
lightbox-info

Schalke players react after their 3-1 loss against Porto on Wednesday.

Schalke boss Domenico Tedesco said his side deserved to lose after Porto secured top spot in Group D of the Champions League with a 3-1 win.

Both Porto and Schalke were already certain of their places in the knockout stage heading into Wednesday's encounter, but the Primeira Liga leader knew a victory would be enough to claim pole position and, in theory, an easier tie in the last 16.

Goals from Eder Militao, Jesus Corona and Moussa Marega proved the difference, with Nabil Bentaleb's penalty a mere consolation.

RELATED| Porto 3 Schalke 1: Fahrmann heroics prove fruitless as hosts secure top spot

And Tedesco, whose side was unbeaten in the opening four fixtures, acknowledged Schalke's display was not up to scratch.

"We definitely deserved to lose," Tedesco said. "The first half wasn't that bad – we only let them have two shots on goal.

"We didn't start the second half well enough and were suitably punished by our strong opponents.

"They pressed us well at the start of the game, which made it very difficult for us. We were missing that cutting edge up front too."

Ralf Fahrmann had to be at his best to deny Porto in the first half, but he was finally beaten when Militao headed home in the 52nd minute, with Corona soon making it two.

Bentaleb's spot-kick handed Schalke an unlikely lifeline, only for Marega to wrap up the points in stoppage time.

Like Tedesco, Sergio Conceicao now has the luxury of being able to rest his star men in the final group game, but Porto's coach wants his side to maintain their high standards.

"We played a fantastic second half. We could have scored two or three more goals," he told a news conference.

"But even now when we think it's okay, it's not. We have to be alert all the time, it's in these positive moments that we let ourselves relax a little and I do not like it.

"We need to improve."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment