Schalke held to a 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg after two disallowed goals

Zalazar back in the team

Head coach Thomas Reis made two changes to the team that drew 0-0 in Mönchengladbach last time out. Rodrigo Zalazar was handed his first start in more than four months, having fractured his metatarsal in the home game against FC Augsburg in October. The Uruguayan, who made his return from off the bench in the last match at home against 1. FC Köln, started behind the lone striker Michael Frey. He was the second new face in the team, in a swap that saw Simon Terodde drop to the bench, along with Éder Balanta.

Arnold hits the post from the penalty spot

Schalke started brightly and had the first chance of the game after just two minutes. Michael Frey headed the ball to Soichiro Kozuki and he shot with his left foot, though VfL goalkeeper Koen Casteels had no problems saving it.

Wolfsburg first really put together a decent attack in the seventh minute, albeit one that didn’t look too dangerous. However, a minute later VAR informed the referee of a potential foul by Moritz Jenz on Patrick Wimmer in the box. Benjamin Brand checked the replay and subsequently awarded the visitors with a penalty. Maximilian Arnold stepped up and sent Ralf Fährmann the wrong way – but could only hit the post! (9’)

Schalke were appealing for a penalty themselves 10 minutes later when the ball hit defender Sebastiaan Bornauw’s arm after a duel with Michael Frey. This time, however, the referee didn’t point to the spot. The first half saw few chances for either side, with the next one not coming until the 30th minute. Rodrigo Zalazar whipped in a corner to the back post and Alex Král headed wide from a decent position.

The final notable moment of a goalless first half came a minute before the end. Michael Frey’s shot went well wide from just outside the box (44’).

Two Schalke goals chalked off

Just like in the first half, Schalke had an early opportunity again after around two minutes into the half. Alex Král headed over the bar from a deflected Marius Bülter cross, but the midfielder would soon find the back of the net, even if it wouldn’t result in a goal. The Czech international met Rodrigo Zalazar’s free-kick at the far post, but VAR adjudged him to be offside and so the goal didn’t stand (52’).

At the other end, Wolfsburg had a golden opportunity to score. Jonas Wind slipped in Jakub Kaminski, who was denied by an impressive Ralf Fährmann (53’). His opposite number, Koen Casteels, showed what he’s capable of 13 minutes later. Moritz Jenz saw his effort from close range brilliantly parried by the Belgian (66’).

Fährmann had no issues with Kaminski’s shot in the 75th minute, before Schalke again were celebrating what looked to be the opening goal. A long ball forward found Dominick Drexler and he played the ball into the centre of the box. Michael Frey eventually smashed it past Casteels, but Drexler was offside when he received the ball (76’).

As Schalke pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages, Bülter fired in a low cross towards Zalazar. Micky van de Ven got goal side to block the shot for a corner (82’). The referee denied S04 what would have been the final chance of the game. As Simon Terodde was racing on to a ball in behind the Wolfsburg defence, Brand blew up for a foul by Mattias Svanberg on Jenz.

Tough away game in the capital

Schalke’s next game is away against Union Berlin. The game in the capital will kick off at 15:30 CET on Sunday (19/2). The side from Köpenick are currently sat second in the table. S04’s previous two Bundesliga matches there both ended in draws (0-0, 1-1).