Royal Blues lose 3-1 at Bayern

Rudy and Konoplyanka return to the starting XI

Head coach Domenico Tedesco made two changes to the team that defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 4-1 in the last 16 of the DFB-Pokal. Sebastian Rudy and Yehven Konoplyanka replaced Mark Uth and Rabbi Matondo in the starting line-up. Matija Nastasic returned to the bench after his calf problem, while Alexander Nübel was suspended after his red card against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Bruma scores an own goal

The hosts began strongly and it was tough for Schalke to keep Bayern away from Ralf Fährmann’s goal. FCB had two chances after the first six minutes to take the lead. Bastian Oczipka first blocked a James shot at the last second, before David Alaba just missed the target 60 seconds later with a powerful effort.

Bayern finally took the lead in the twelfth minute. Nabil Bentaleb lost possession in midfield and James Rodriguez quickly started a counter attack, passing it to Robert Lewandowski. He was tackled by Jeffrey Bruma, who inadvertently deflected the ball past Fährmann and into his own goal.

Kutucu scores, Lewandowski hits back immediately

In the following phases of play, Bayern were once again the team on the front foot. In the 18th minute, Serge Gnabry had a chance to double the home side’s lead, but Ralf Fährmann reacted quickly to ensure that Bayern didnt’t extend their lead. Seven minutes later, Schalke were celebrating. A swift counterattack was finished off superbly by Ahmed Kutucu after some nice passing from Nabil Bentaleb and Weston McKennie. McKennie had played a nice through ball to get Kutucu through on goal, and the young striker smashed the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Sven Ulreich with no chance.

However, the away side were unable to celebrate for long. Bayern capitalised on a poor pass in the Schalke 04 midfield. Serge Gnabry nipped in to take the ball, passed to James Rodriguez, who then laid the ball off to Robert Lewandowski and the Polish striker slotted the ball into the back of the net to put the home team back in the lead (26′).

McKennie and Konoplyanka with chances to equalise

For the final 20 minutes of the half, FC Bayern dominated the possession. However, S04 had the chances to score. In the 32nd minute, Bastian Oczipka’s free-kick found Weston McKennie in the box, but his header was cleared off the line by Thiago. Three minutes later, Yevhen Konoplyanka had the ball on the left, cut inside but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Bayern’s lead at half-time was deserved as they were in control of the game.

Wasted chances and another goal conceded

The Royal Blues started the second half strongly, but lacked the necessary luck to push them over the line. Weston McKennie dribbled past numerous Bayern defenders and promisingly passed to Yevhen Konoplyanka, who then failed to convert past Sven Ulreich. (53′) Two minutes later, Jeffrey Bruma hit the left post with a header after a corner.

Just 120 seconds after Bruma’s effort, Bayern had extended their lead. Kingsley Coman crossed from the left-hand side to Robert Lewandowski, who miscued his bicycle kick but spilled the ball to Serge Gnabry, the German international slotting the ball past Ralf Fährmann to make it three.

With a two-goal lead, the hosts began to sit deeper in order to sit out the game relatively comfortably. Schalke had more possession as a result, but failed to create any real chances. At the other end, Bayern still occasionally threatened – Lewandowski going close from ten metres out on the 74th minute mark.

Freiburg await on Saturday

On Matchday 22, Schalke welcome SC Freiburg to the VELTINS-Arena. Kick-off in Gelsenkirchen is at 15:30 CET.