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Champions League: Schalke's Julian Draxler blames luck against Galatasaray

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Schalke midfielder Julian Draxler blamed missed chances for his side's failure to qualify for the Champions League quarter finals.

Teenage star Julian Draxler felt Schalke were unlucky to be knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Galatasaray.

Like Draxler, Schalke boss Jens Keller thought team paid the price for an unconvincing opening 45 minutes and the absences of the likes of injured Klaas Jan Huntelaar and suspended Jermaine Jones. "I have no explanation for this first half," he said. "We have played like we used to a couple of weeks ago, without the necessary aggressiveness. Everyone put in maybe 10 per cent less than what was needed. "We were not presumptuous but not focused enough. We allowed them too much space. "In the second half, we dealt with them much better. They have played with a diamond in midfield and that had surprised us. "We then entered the challenges much better. One must not forget which of our players were sidelined today. The second half was really strong. There is no reason for depressions now.

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