Köln equalise in last minute to draw 1-1

Two changes to the side

David Wagner made a couple of changes to the side that won 3-1 in Leipzig, with Mark Uth and Daniel Caligiuri coming in for Weston McKennie and Rabbi Matondo. Alex Nübel played in goal again despite fears that he would miss the game due to an adductor problem.

Nübel keeps the scores level

The first 45 minutes were fairly unspectacular, as both teams put in a number of tackles and failed to get in behind. The best chance of the first half came for Köln. Florian Kainz’s cross was met by a powerful header from Kingsley Ehizibue, however Nübel was on hand with a brilliant close-range save (21’).

A Köln player came closest to scoring in the first half for Schalke. A Caligiuri free-kick was flicked on by Jonas Hector, but the ball hit the outside of the post and came back out.

Serdar scores, but Hector equalises

The Royal Blues looked to create more danger in the second period and created a decent opportunity after 54 minutes. Daniel Caligiuri cut the ball back for Guido Burgstaller, although he couldn’t direct the ball back towards the goal. Simon Terrode then forced another outstanding stop from Nübel four minutes later.

Schalke continued to press for a goal and finally found it after 72 minutes. Bastian Oczipka’s cross was headed to the back post by Salif Sané and Suat Serdar nodded home.

S04 then should really have killed the game off. Serdar had the first real chance to double the Royal Blues’ lead, but couldn’t keep his curler under the bar. Guido Burgstaller then hit the post a minute from time. The visitors were then able to find a late equaliser. Nübel made yet another save from Cordoba, however the resulting corner was headed home at the near post by Jonas Hector, meaning it ended a draw and Schalke missed the chance to go top.

A number of S04 players away on international duty

The next international break starts this coming week with a number of Schalke players representing their countries around the world. The remaining players will remain auf Schalke to prepare for the eight league game at Hoffenheim in two weeks.