10 men Schalke get a point against Gladbach

04 changes to the starting XI

Head coach Domenico Tedesco returned to the starting XI which started in the derby and made four changes to the side that went to Köln. Nabil Bentaleb, Guido Burgstaller, Alessandro Schöpf and Amine Harit came in for Weston McKennie, Franco di Santo, Bastian Oczipka and Breel Embolo.

Topsy-turvy first half

It was a frustrating start for the Royal Blues. Nabil Bentaleb picked up a red card in the 12^th minute for violent conduct as it meant Schalke spent 80 minutes with 10 men. The decision meant Schalke had to sit deeper and let Gladbach control possession. S04 defended well and threatened on the break but went behind in the 32^nd minute. Raffael scored the opener after neat build-up play from the Foals meant all Raffael had to do was fire home from close range into an open goal. In added time, Christoph Kramer’s handball wasn’t initially spotted but, after consultation with the video assistant referee, a penalty was rightfully awarded. Daniel Caligiuri made it count from the spot.

Schalke have the better of the chances

After the change of sides, Schalke’s ten men were a fair match to the 11 Foals. Leon Goretzka and Yevhen Konoplyanka went close and, defensively, Schalke remained solid. While the hosts looked the more likely to score, no one was able to break the deadlock.

Two games to go

A draw and one which Schalke are unsure to see as one point gained or two points dropped. Schalke were down a man for 80 minutes, came back from 1-0 down and were the better side in the second half.

The Royal Blues have two games left to secure Champions League football. In their last two games, Schalke head to FC Augsburg before closing off the season at home against Eintracht Frankfurt in the VELTINS Arena. On the final day of the season, Schalke can get revenge for the semi-final defeat in the DFB-Pokal. Both of the last two games will be at 15:30 CET on Saturdays.