week 32 - match report

Schalke stroll to 3-0 win in Bochum

Will VfL Bochum be sticking up the local derby table in Gelsenkirchen again this summer? Schalke would have nothing against it, having clinched their sixth victory in six Ruhr derbies this season with a 3-0 success at VfL Bochum. More importantly, however, the three points saw the Royal Blues consolidate their Champions League spot and climb to second place in the table for at least 24 hours. 

Caretaker bosses Mike Büskens and Youri Mulder made one change to the side that drew 1-1 with Hannover 96 last Saturday, recalling Gerald Asamoah at the expense of Albert Streit. A ploy that worked very well: "Gerald has looked good in training over the last few days and tonight he's done it on the pitch. We've a busy week so it made sense to make the change and Asa rewarded himself with the opener." 

The goal came slightly against the run of play, felt Marcel Koller. "Before they scored we had the better chances", the Bochum coach said, thinking primarily of the two opportunities for Christoph Dabrowski in the 4th and 25th minutes. After that, though, the game gradually tipped in favour of the Royal Blues, watched by future boss Fred Rutten. "We were very patient and when the chance came we took it", said Büskens, outlining their tactics. 

Yet when Asamoah headed Schalke in front on 34 Bochum were left bemoaning the fact that the supplier of the cross, Ivan Rakitic, was narrowly offside. The Royal Blues had opened the scoring on the same ground last season, too, but this time they showed more tactical nous. "You can never be certain, but the game was going well for us. Taking the lead was important because it meant Bochum had to come out and play rather than relying on counterattacks", said Büskens after the final whistle. But Schalke didn't allow them to do either. "We attached great importance to controlling the ball", said Büskens, and Koller was forced to agree that the plan had worked. "Schalke moved the ball around well, which was why we couldn't get our tackles in." 

After a quiet start to the second half the Royal Blues effectively ended the game as a contest with their next big chance on 67, Rakitic coolly slotting home following some brilliant work by Halil Altintop. And Marcelo Bordon removed any doubt five minutes from time when he powered home a header from a Rakitic free-kick to make it 3-0. 

Later Büskens offered a very businesslike analysis of his team's on-field prospects, saying: "Last Saturday it looked as if our Champions League place was in danger. So tonight's win was an important step in the right direction." 

Bochum: Lastuvka, Pfertzel, Yahia, Maltritz, Bönig (Grote 61'), Dabrowski (Miciel 83'), Azaouagh (Schröder 74'), Zdebel, Ono, Epalle, Sestak

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Bordon, Krstajic, Westermann - Ernst, Jones, Rakitic, Altintop - Asamoah (Sanchez 86') - Kuranyi (Larsen 81')

Goals: 0-1 Asamoah (34'), 0-2 Rakitic (67'), 0-3 Bordon (85')

Referee: Kircher (Rottenburg)

Yellow cards: Yahia, Sestak - Krstajic