Schalke shining

These are the rewards for my constant hard work and my love for the game, a smiling Raul,the Champions League all-time topscorer with 71 goals,told reporters. Now there will be two tough semi-finals with us against Manchester United and Real Madrid against Barcelona.

Raul has become a fan favourite in the former German coal-mining heartland,a far cry from cosmopolitan Madrid. He killed off any hopes Inter had of getting back into the tie after their first-leg humiliation at the San Siro when he picked up a Jose Jurado cross and rounded Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar to slot in the opening goal on the stroke of halftime,then set up Benedikt Hoewedes.

Rangnick,nicknamed the professor,took over from Felix Magath in late March and his team have since flourished,winning all four games under him. This team played two great games against Inter and when you only allow two chances for the reigning champions then you understand how good this team worked, he said.

What can I say about such a team, 52-year-old Rangnick beamed after the win. I am delighted that the team gave itself a reward with a second win and was not just looking to advance. What a performance. Everyone ran their socks off for the other players and that was the key to our success, he said.

Manchester United beckons

Never before have the blue-whites played in the Champions League last four but now have every right to dream big when they face Manchester United. It was never going to be a high-scoring game,with Schalke careful to protect their first leg advantage,but it was the perfect match for Raul.

Lurking for a quick break,the former Spain striker first threatened after a quarter of an hour with a header. He was on target just before the break,chasing down Jurados cross to slot in before Thiago Motta levelled with a volley four minutes after the restart. The Spaniard then lobbed the ball forward over a static defence for Hoewedes to run on to and drill a low shot past Julio Cesar nine minutes from time.

Team bonding

There was never any doubt that Magaths gruelling training regime would see Schalke players still in outstanding physical form towards the end of the season. It was their mental strength that was a major stumbling block,however,as last years Bundesliga runners-up spent most of the season struggling to stay clear of the drop zone.

But the way they have played under Rangnick has been different. Against Inter,they have played to win with their new found joie de vivre painted on their faces.

Central defender Christoph Metzelder,who joined last year from Real Madrid and had yet to peak this season,played arguably his best game on Wednesday,shutting out Inter forwards Diego Milito and Samuel Etoo.

Attacking midfielder Jefferson Farfan,labelled persona non grata under Magath as he desperately pressed for a transfer in the winter,orchestrated Schalkes offensive explosion in the first leg and now wants to stay on.

Under Rangnick we have become a real team with everyone fighting for the other, said Hoewedes. We have an amazing determination on the pitch and we just radiate danger up front.