Schalke hold Bayern to a goalless draw

Three changes to the starting XI – Karaman back in the squad

Schalke made three changes from the defeat in Augsburg for the visit of Bayern. Junior Dina Ebimbe, Robin Gosens and Satoshi Tanaka came into the starting XI in place of Junior Adamu and Vitalie Becker, who both dropped to the bench, and the suspended Ron Schallenberg. Captain Kenan Karaman returned to the squad for the first time since suffering a hip injury, while new signing Hee Chan Hwang was not yet included.

Bayern with the first chances as Schalke get stuck in

The visitors dominated possession in the opening stages and registered the first effort of the game through Lennart Karl in the third minute, although his shot from around 25 yards was straight at Loris Karius and caused the Schalke goalkeeper no problems. Five minutes later, a low Alphonso Davies cross flashed narrowly past the far post. Karius was forced into his first notable save in the 13th minute. A slick Bayern move ended with Aleksandar Pavlovic cutting the ball back to Nathaniel Brown inside the penalty area, but Karius tipped his effort from around 10 yards out over the bar.

Schalke then began to push further up the pitch and sent two free-kicks into the box, although Adil Aouchiche was unable to pick out a teammate with either delivery (19’, 20’). Roared on by the vocal home support at the VELTINS-Arena, the Royal Blues competed well and did a good job of keeping Bayern away from their penalty area during this spell.

Neuer denies Aouchiche from a free-kick

Just after the half-hour mark, the ball fell somewhat fortunately to Ismael Saibari, who fired over from the edge of the box. At the other end, the ball struck Konrad Laimer on the arm inside the penalty area, but referee Robert Schröder waved play on (31’). Four minutes later, Moussa Sylla dispossessed Dayot Upamecano and broke towards goal. The Bayern defender managed to catch him but then brought him down just outside the box. Adil Aouchiche curled the resulting free-kick over the wall towards the far corner, only for Manuel Neuer to make a flying save (36’).

Bayern were playing with a very high line, leaving space for Schalke to attack whenever they won the ball, although the visitors usually managed to get back and snuff out the danger. Schalke’s goal came under threat again in the 41st minute when Nathaniel Brown slipped Luis Diaz through, but the winger fired over. Karius was alert again three minutes later to deal with a Luis Diaz cross that had taken a deflection off Timo Becker (44’). Schalke continued to pose a threat of their own, particularly on the counter after winning the ball back. In the third minute of added time, S04 regained the ball in midfield once more and Dejan Ljubičić released Moussa Sylla, but Dayot Upamecano did enough to prevent him from getting a shot away inside the box. The sides therefore went into the break goalless.

Kuruçay and Karius keep Bayern out

Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany introduced Harry Kane for Nathaniel Brown at the break. As in the opening stages of the game, the visitors saw more of the ball after the restart. Their first chance of the second half did not arrive until the 54th minute, when Luis Diaz broke down the left after Bayern had won possession and lifted the ball over Loris Karius, but Hasan Kuruçay got back to clear off the line.

Four minutes later, Moussa Sylla played the ball out to Junior Dina Ebimbe on the right. His low cross travelled through the penalty area and Robin Gosens managed to reach it with a sliding effort, but could not direct the ball on target. Michael Olise, who came on for Bayern alongside Jamal Musiala, then tested Loris Karius with a low shot from inside the box, though the Schalke goalkeeper was equal to it once again (59’).

Schalke battle to a point

Bayern began to increase the pressure. Konrad Laimer was picked out by a ball over the Schalke defence in the 64th minute, but could only find the side-netting from a tight angle. The Royal Blues continued to throw themselves into every challenge and defend with real determination, while looking to threaten on the counter whenever the opportunity arose, although Bayern remained solid at the back.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining, Tom Bischof’s shot took a deflection off Soufiane El-Faouzi and flew narrowly wide of the far post. Kenan Karaman made his first appearance of the season in the 84th minute, replacing Adil Aouchiche. Luca Vozar had already been introduced alongside Maximilian Wöber and in doing so made his competitive debut. Harry Kane tried his luck from around 25 yards in the 87th minute, only for Loris Karius to produce a superb diving save to keep his attempt out. As Bayern continued to push for a winner, Schalke defended with enormous commitment and held on for a 0-0 draw. Their effort and determination certainly made it a deserved point.

Away in the capital

Schalke will play the first game of matchday 3 away to 1. FC Union Berlin on Friday (11/9). Kick-off is at 20:30 CEST.