BERLIN, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- FC Schalke 04 is en route to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stage after beating Turkish outfit Galatasaray 2-0 at home in Group D's fourth matchday on Tuesday.
"I am very satisfied with our performance. We secured a deserved victory but we should have scored more goals. However, we still won and that is the most important thing," said Schalke's sporting director Christian Heidel.
Goals from Guido Burgstaller and Germany international Mark Uth ensured Schalke's second win in Group D, whereas defeat for Galatasaray saw them lose ground in their quest to progress to the competition's next stage.
The Royal Blues made a fairytale start to the match after Burgstaller punished Gala keeper Fernando Muslera's error to fire into an empty net after just four minutes.
Having taken an early lead, Schalke shifted their focus to the counter-attack, while the visitors looked to increase pressure as the match progressed.
Goalscoring opportunities occurred at both ends of the pitch. Garry Rodrigues missed the target from a promising position for Gala at the half-hour mark, before Schalke came close to doubling their lead in the 38th minute when Sebastian Rudy rattled the post.
Into the second half, Galatasaray came out with all guns blazing but Schalke took the wind out of the visitors' sails after Burgstaller's cutback found Uth, whose placed shot beat Muslera in the 58th minute.
Schalke remained in control of proceedings and protected their two-goal lead to the end, as Galatasaray were unable to respond in the second half.
"We came for three points and we knew we could do it. But we were let down after the early goal. It's a frustrating night," lamented Galatasaray midfielder Badou Ndiaye after the match.
With that result, FC Porto lead Group D with 10 points followed by FC Schalke (8 points), Galatasaray (4 points) and Lokomotiv Moscow (0 points).
