Schalke’s Altintop draws Matthaeus comparison

The strike is an early contender for Bundesliga goal of the month and more was to come from Altintop, who doubled his tally on 58 minutes with a solo effort.

Another Bundesliga debutant, Flavio Conceicao reduced the deficit for Dortmund in the 65th minutes

It was a dream Bundesliga debut for the 20-year-old Turk only soured by the fact that he inadvertently set Marcio Amoroso up for Dortmund’s equaliser in the final minute.

“I am just disappointed,” stated Altintop.

“I would have preferred to have scored no goals and we had won.”

However, the midfielder was happy with his bow in the German top-flight and dedicated his brace to his family.

“I have high expectations and that was a good start,” added Altintop.

“I am dedicating those goals to my family, above all my mother Meryn.

“She sat at home because it is too lively in the stadium.”

Schalke 04 manager Jupp Heynckes, who has had great players under his wing in the past, heaped praise on the three-time Turkish Under-21 international after the match and compared the player to German legend Lothar Matthaeus.

“His solo runs and change in tempo remind me of Lothar Matthaeus,” enthused Heynckes.

“However, we should not praise the youngster too much.

“He still has to learn things in different areas and stabilise his performance.”

It is a meteoric rise to fame for Altintop, 20, who had been playing in the north German regional League with Wattenscheid 09, until The Royal Blues signed him in the close season.

Bayern Munich and Dortmund were interested in his services but Altintop, who was born in Gelsenkirchen, opted to join neighbours Schalke 04 in a 1.8-million-euro deal and is contracted at the club until June 2007.

Altintop’s brother Halil, also plays in the Bundesliga with Kaiserslautern.