Schalke win 2-0 in Bochum

Two changes

Dominick Drexler, a goalscorer against VfB Stuttgart last week, missed out against Bochum due to a thigh muscle issue. He was replaced by Éder Balanta in the starting XI. The other change to the team saw Cedric Brunner come in for Mehmet Can Aydin. The Swiss right-back had missed the Stuttgart game after breaking his nose.

Bochum own goal gives Schalke the lead

Schalke started brightly at a sold-out Ruhrstadion, albeit without threatening the goal of Manuel Riemann early on. Instead, Bochum should have really taken the lead in the seventh minute. Danilo Soares fired a low ball across the six-yard box towards Philipp Hofmann. The former Schalke man couldn’t get a proper connection on the finish and the ball flew over the bar from just a few yards out.

The hosts grew into the game more after this opportunity and the tackles flew in from both teams. Michael Frey had two half chances, but was denied by Manuel Riemann on both occasions. His shot in the 14th minute was too weak to trouble the goalkeeper and VfL’s number one then smothered the ball in front of the Swiss forward a minute later to snuff out a dangerous counter-attack, though Frey was in an offside position anyway.

At the other end, Ralf Fährmann was called into action in the 21st minute. Kevin Stöger played Christopher Antwi-Adjei in behind and he shot from a tight angle. Fährmann blocked his effort with his legs.

The first half saw few chances for either side, the next one of note coming in the 43rd minute. Takuma Asano’s left-footed strike was beaten away by Fährmann just before the break.

As the first half looked to be quietly petering out, Schalke took the lead on the stroke of half time. Manuel Riemann couldn’t properly deal with Rodrigo Zalazar’s cross from the right wing and the loose ball in the six-yard box eventually rolled over the line after touches from Erhan Masovic and eventually Riemann again – a freak goal but one that the away team certainly enjoyed!

Bülter makes it 2-0 – Schlotterbeck’s goal ruled out

The second half began evenly as both teams continued to get stuck in. It took until the 56th minute for the first shot on target, as Manuel Riemann tipped Zalazar’s shot over the bar. A potential goal wouldn’t have counted anyway because the flag went up for offside.

Schalke’s one-goal lead was maintained by their solid goalkeeper in the 69th minute. Kevin Stöger played it to Christopher Antwi-Adjei in the box, who saw his shot saved by Ralf Fährmann’s legs. As Bochum pushed for an equaliser, more and more space opened up for the visitors.

As a result of this space, Schalke had more chances. Cedric Brunner’s dangerous cross was headed towards goal by substitute Simon Terodde, only to see his effort pushed over by Riemann (78’). The resulting corner was taken by Rodrigo Zalazar, who hit it along the ground towards Bülter around 15 yards out. His first-time shot crept through various defenders’ legs and underneath the goalkeeper for a second S04 goal!

VfL thought they had pulled one back four minutes after Bülter’s goal, however VAR quickly ruined their celebrations due to Keven Schlotterbeck being offside when he scored from close range from a free-kick. Just before the final whistle, Tobias Mohr shot over the bar, but it ultimately didn’t matter as Schalke held on for a huge three points!

Derby up next

The next game for Schalke is another against a local rival. Borussia Dortmund will visit the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday (11/3) at 18:30 CET. BVB won the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season.