2-0 win in the derby – S04 extend lead in second

Embolo and Nastasic injured

Alessandro Schöpf entered the starting XI in place of Alessandro Schöpf as the Serbian not only missed out through suspension having picked up five yellow cards, but also injured himself last weekend and will miss the rest of the season. The back three consisted of Benjamin Stambouli, Naldo and Thilo Kehrer. Schöpf played the left wing-back role.

There were two further changes in personnel. Nabil Bentaleb started in place of Max Meyer, Yevhen Konoplyanka played for Breel Embolo. The Switzerland international missed out through injury.

Schöpf with best chance

The derby started with a bang. Both teams were attacking from the get-go but it was predominately Schalke who were in the ascendency. With five minutes on the clock, Alessandro Schöpf almost opened the scoring from the edge of the area but his strike was saved by Roman Bürki who tipped it around the post.

Thilo Kehrer also had a chance to score the game’s first goal but his header flew over the crossbar. Shortly before half-time, Yevhen Konoplyanka almost curled an effort into the bottom corner but it flashed narrowly wide. Throughout the first half, Guido Burgstaller continued to wreak havoc for the visitors’ defence. BVB’s best chance came through Marco Reus but his free-kick was saved by Ralf Fährmann.

Konoplyanka and Naldo score

The Royal Blues had a dream start to the second half as, in the 49th minute, Yevhen Konoplyanka struck for Domenico Tedesco’s side. The Ukraine international received the ball from Daniel Caligiuri and gave Roman Bürki no chance. The Knappen kept fighting after going 1-0 up and dug deep defensively to prevent Dortmund from creating goalscoring opportunities.
With 20 minutes remaining, the visitors ramped up the pressure as Naldo and co. were forced back into their own half. However, it was Schalke’s defensive rock who made the difference offensively. With eight minutes to go, Naldo rifled a free-kick into the back of the net to seal all three points for the Royal Blues.

Passionate performance pays off

The Knappen fought hard for every ball, pressed well and prevented the visitors from getting a grip on the game. Schalke deserved the game through both their football and the passion they displayed.

The Knappen do not have long to celebrate the Revierderby win as FC Schalke 04 have a DFB-Pokal semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday at 20:45 CEST in a sold-out VELTINS Arena. Schalke’s next Bundesliga game is on Sunday at 18:00 CEST against 1. FC Köln.