Football | Champions League
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A stunning Julian Draxler strike gave Schalke 04 a 1-0 Champions League win at Basle on Tuesday, bringing the Swiss back down to earth with a bump after their shock victory at Chelsea last month.
A partially cleared corner fell to the 20-year-old 25 metres from goal, and although it came to him at an awkward height, he delivered a superb rising shot into the top corner after 54 minutes.
Roman Neustaedter hit the crossbar minutes earlier with a looping 30-metre effort following another brilliant piece of skill by Draxler.
The win gave leaders Schalke six points from two games in Group E and no goals conceded, a contrast to their league form where their rearguard is one of the most unstable in the Bundesliga.
There was little to choose between the teams although Schalke created more chances while Basle, playing their 18th game of the season, could not find the finishing touches to match their neat approach.
Kevin-Prince Boateng missed an early chance for the Germans when he dragged his shot wide of the post after a mishit clearance by Fabian Schaer.
Draxler missed the target after getting into a good position and a poor first touch from Jefferson Farfan meant another flowing move came to nothing for Schalke just after the half hour.
The visitors went close again when Neustaedter headed wide from a free kick just before the break.
Basle pushed forward after the goal and Schaer saw a dipping shot go narrowly wide from 30 metres while a Giovanni Sio effort was parried by keeper Timo Hildebrand.
Draxler nearly added a second after a mazy run that ended with him shooting over the crossbar.
Basle have three points from two matches, the same as Chelsea who won 4-0 at bottom club Steaua Bucharest on Tuesday.
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