Engelaar puts the brakes on Racing

FC Schalke 04 moved to the top of UEFA Cup Group A after Orlando Engelaar's second-half strike denied Real Racing Club a first win in the section.

Below-par guests
The Bundesliga visitors were not at their best for much of the contest in Santander and went into arrears when Mohamed Tchite continued his recent goalscoring form by striking in the 57th minute. However, falling behind spurred Schalke into action and Engelaar's precise 25-metre drive secured a point which earned them pole position in the group with four points from two games. Racing are second bottom after losing their Matchday 1 fixture at FC Twente.

Neuer saves
The Spanish Liga side enjoyed the better of a scrappy first period and had the opening chance when Jonathan Pereira made Manuel Neuer push his close-range shot wide. Schalke were giving little indication of the form that had kept them unbeaten in seven games, although they came to life in the 19th minute when Engelaar let fly from distance, forcing Antonio Toño into a save. However, such moments were rare as Fred Rutten's charges were mainly on the back foot, with the hosts almost taking the lead through Pedro Munitis who was denied by the agile Neuer.

Short-lived lead
Racing duly made the breakthrough after half-time when Tchite – who had scored a hat-trick in the weekend Liga win over fellow UEFA Cup contenders Valencia CF – latched on to Pereira's pass before placing a low right-footed shot in at the near post. However, the advantage lasted only four minutes as Netherlands midfielder Engelaar was fed by Jefferson Farfán before striking across Toño and into the far corner. The exchange of goals livened proceedings but neither team could deliver the telling blow, Farfán coming closest with a late free-kick.