week 15 - match report

Dominant first half sets up 1-0 win over Bochum

Schalke's strength at set pieces was the decisive factor in the 1-0 win over VfL Bochum on Saturday afternoon. The Royal Blues should have had the game wrapped up by half-time, but were left hanging on after the break.

"We know we are a threat from set plays. So I'm glad we managed to convert one through Marcelo Bordon", said a delighted Mirko Slomka, referring to the Schalke captain's headed goal from an Ivan Rakitic corner in the 32nd minute. It was just reward after a one-sided first 45.

Slomka elected to play the same eleven who had started in the Champions League at Valencia three days previously. "I thought we dominated the first half - not just defensively, but also going forward", the Schalke boss said. "We were much the livelier side and showed great focus." The only shortcoming was the profligacy in front of goal, with Halil Altintop, in particular, missing a sitter on 41.

The visitors weren't in the game in the opening period. "We were timid. Instead of playing football we simply hit long balls upfield that were headed straight back again by Krstajic and Bordon, who are so good in the air", said Bochum coach Marcel Koller. "We also lacked movement when we were in possession."

This was to change in the second period, however. "Now the man on the ball had options", explained Koller. "That saw us create four decent chances, one of which really should have been taken." But Danny Fuchs had one powerful shot saved by Neuer and saw another hit the post, while Marcin Miciel twice missed the target from promising positions. "In the second half I felt we were lacked urgency", said Slomka, although Halil Altintop, Heiko Westermann and Peter Lovenkrands all had chances to settle it.

The Royal Blues eventually hung on for the win, but the Schalke boss was still able to take some positives from the game: "Bochum had won their previous three matches and scored ten goals in the process. So if you win 1-0 after a mentally challenging encounter in Valencia on Wednesday, you have to be satisfied." A view shared by Koller, who left with the realisation that "if you are away to a top team and want to take at least a point, you can't play well just for 45 minutes".

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Westermann - Jones, Ernst - Rakitic (Grossmüller 82'), Özil (Asamoah 64') - Altintop (Lovenkrands 64'), Kuranyi
Bochum: Renno - Concha, Maltritz, Yahia (Bönig 14'), Pfertzel - Epalle, Imhof, Drsek (Bechmann 73'), Fuchs - Sestak, Mieciel
Referee: Meyer (Burgdorf)
Goal: 1-0 Bordon (32')
Attendance: 61,482 (sold out)
Yellow cards: Ernst - Sestak (3)