Galatasaray held to goalless draw by Schalke, Porto sink Lokomotiv Moscow
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Osman Orsal
ANKARA (Reuters) - Galatasaray missed the chance to overtake Schalke in the Champions League Group D standings when they were held to a 0-0 draw by the German side on Wednesday.
It proved a frustrating night for the Turkish league leaders, who struggled to create chances from their greater share of possession while Schalke were the more dangerous side.
Galatasaray's best chance in the first half came when striker Eren Derdiyok blasted a close-range effort straight at Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Schalke's Daniel Caligiuri in action with Galatasaray's Yuto Nagatomo REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Schalke were the better side after the break, forcing home keeper Fernando Muslera into several fine saves.
Breel Embolo did have the ball in the net for Schalke but his effort was ruled offside.
Galatasaray's performance also drew criticism from head coach Fatih Terim, who said his side were lucky to earn a point from the match and did not deserve to win.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Mariano Filho in action with Schalke's Breel Embolo REUTERS/Osman Orsal
"Three points here would have put us in a very good position in the group standings, but we didn't deserve it," Terim said. "To be frank, we just resisted in the second half."
The draw left Schalke in second place with five points and Galatasaray in third on four. Porto lead with seven.
"We didn't get the result we wanted, but even one point on a stage like the Champions League is huge," Galatasaray defender Ozan Kabak said. "We would have liked a win on our home turf."
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Yuto Nagatomo reacts REUTERS/Murad Sezer
Porto proved too good for Lokomotiv Moscow in the group's other game, with goals by Moussa Marega, Hector Herrera and Jesus Corona sealing a 3-1 victory in the Russian capital.
"It was important to win here. It's not over, but it was very important to win away," Porto winger Corona said.
Schalke will host Galatasaray on Nov. 6, while Lokomotiv Moscow will travel to Porto for their next match in the group.
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Yuto Nagatomo in action with Schalke's Daniel Caligiuri REUTERS/Murad Sezer
(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Martyn Herman and Clare Lovell)
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Mugdat Celik in action with Schalke's Daniel Caligiuri REUTERS/Osman OrsalSoccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Schalke's Alexander Nubel in action with Galatasaray's Ozan Kabak REUTERS/Osman OrsalSoccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Ozan Kabak looks dejected as Omer Bayram attempts to comfort him at the end of the match REUTERS/Murad SezerSoccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Galatasaray's Garry Rodrigues in action with Schalke's Sebastian Rudy REUTERS/Osman OrsalSoccer Football - Champions League - Group Stage - Group D - Galatasaray v Schalke 04 - Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi, Istanbul, Turkey - October 24, 2018 Schalke's Benjamin Stambouli and team mates applaud the fans at the end of the match REUTERS/Murad Sezer
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