Schalke beaten in the last second

Bentaleb in for Goretzka – Kono with the goal

A week after Schalke’s 2-0 win in Stuttgart, Domenico Tedesco made a change to his starting XI, which saw Nabil Bentaleb make a return from injury in place of Leon Goretzka, whose hip problems had prevented him from training throughout the week. In the squad for the first time today was January signing Cedric Teuchert, who replaced the injured Alessandro Schöpf in Tedesco’s back-up brigade.

Schalke took control of proceedings right from the off, albeit without creating any clear-cut chances, which proved to be a tricky task against a deep-standing Werder back four, which, when Schalke were on the move turned into a back six, soaking up pressure and lurking for the chance the counter. Just as the visitors began grow more confident and look for a route towards goal, a Yevhen Konoplyanka effort from outside the box slipped through the fingers of Jiri Pavlenka and span into the back of the net. This was to be only notable incident of the first half, leaving Schalke with a one-goal lead at the break.

Nastasic sent off, Werder strike twice

With chances few and far between in the first half, a ten-minute spell from the 50th minute saw Schalke create 90 minutes’ worth of opportunities, but were too carless in front of goal. Amine Harit, Franco Di Santo and Naldo among the players to pass up the chance to double Schalke’s lead, which set the Knappen up for a nervy last 20 minutes. With just the one goal in it, Werder trusted themselves more and more going forward and began to give everything for the equaliser. Once Matiji Nastasic was shown his second yellow card of the game and sent for an early bath, the game well and truly turned on its head. From the resulting free kick, Ralf Fährmann spilled the ball into the path of Max Kruse who squeezed the ball over the line for the equaliser. Substitute Marko Pjaca so nearly restored Schalke’s lead immediately, but saw his effort bounce back off the inside of the post. Three minutes into the four added on, it was Zlatko Junuzovic and Werder Bremen who could celebrate the winner.

Wolfsburg, then Bayern

What a painful afternoon for Schalke. Empty-handed after taking the lead and passing up numerous opportunities to go 2-0 up. Saturday’s defeat to Werder Bremen was the first of three games this week, with the Royal Blues entertaining Wolfsburg in the DFB Pokal quarterfinals on Wednesday night. Next weekend, Tedesco’s men travel to Bavaria to face league-leaders Bayern München.