Stevens gloomy on Schalke's prospects

Schalke coach Huub Stevens believes his side are as good as out of Europe after last night's 4-2 defeat at home to Athletic Bilbao. Having conceded four goals at home, the Royal Blues must score at least three in the second leg in Spain next week to stand any chance of reaching the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, but Stevens does not expect that to happen. "I don't believe in that," he said. "If I don't have all of my players at 100 per cent, then it is tough to survive against such a good team like this." Stevens was disappointed that his side threw away a 2-1 lead after falling behind in the 21st minute while the loss of goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand with an elbow injury compounded his woes. "We were lucky to equalise straight after going 1-0 down and then to go 2-1 ahead, but then we had to be clever, but we weren't," he said on his club's website. "When we went 2-1 up, we should have been happy with that and kept our organisation, but we did not do that and Bilbao countered us. "I don't think Timo's injury was decisive in that we have had so much bad luck with our goalkeepers all season. I now have to try and get two goalkeepers for our game in Hoffenheim."