week 1 - match report

Early goals ease Schalke to 3-0 win over Hannover

In the run-up to the visit of Hannover 96 Fred Rutten had referred to the difficulty of playing three matches in eight days. But the Royal Blues demonstrated how to claim top spot regardless with a 3-0 win over the Lower Saxony outfit.

Rutten was forced to replace two injured players after the 1-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League qualifying round. Halil Altintop and Levan Kobiashvili came into the team for new boys Jefferson Farfan (shoulder) and Orlando Engelaar (knee).

Last season the Royal Blues scored more goals from set pieces than any other Bundesliga side. And Fred Rutten's men are clearly keen to defend this title, setting up victory with their first two corners. First Marcelo Bordon nodded home Rakitic's ball in inside two minutes, and then Kevin Kuranyi reacted quickest to make it 2-0 on 7.

"Today we played with great control. The two quick goals were a factor in this", analysed Rutten after the game. "In the first half we also took a step forward as far as our positional play is concerned." The visitors could only look on as Schalke strung together some fine flowing moves. "We had hoped the season opener would go much differently, not just the first eight minutes", said Hannover coach Dieter Hecking.

Schalke had further opportunities to extend their lead, Benedikt Höwedes going close from another corner in the 18th minute. But they were knocked out of their stride on 26 when Altin Lala took out Jermaine Jones with a crunching tackle. The Germany international tried to continue after receiving treatment, but was eventually forced to hobble off. Another injured player – little wonder, then, that Lala was greeted by a chorus of whistles from the home crowd every time he touched the ball.

Though the Royal Blues lost their way slightly going forward, they remained solid at the back. And they were a constant threat from dead-ball situations. Kevin Kuranyi put the result beyond doubt with his second goal and Schalke's third after 64 minutes. A goal that made for a carnival atmosphere in the stands, with the first Mexican wave sweeping the ground some 20 minutes before the final whistle.

"The second half wasn't as spectacular as the first, but the third game in a week is always difficult", said Rutten. "Nevertheless we showed that we're in good physical shape." The Dutchman was not completely satisfied, however: "I attach great importance to our organisation on the field. I wasn't 100% happy with it, we still have some to work to do there."

Dieter Hecking expressed different concerns in his summary. "I'm not even going to mention that we were able to play an equal part in the proceedings as the game unfolded. Schalke were different class this time", he concluded. "It was typical that we conceded the goals from set pieces. And they had three more great chances from other set plays. Schalke were better than us in every respect."

Schalke: Schober – Westermann, Höwedes, Bordon, Pander – Jones (Grossmüller 30'), Ernst, Kobiashvili – Altintop, Kuranyi (Sanchez 78'), Rakitic (Asamoah 68')
Hannover: Enke – Cherundolo, Ismael (Eggimann 62'), Vinicius, C. Schulz – Balitsch (Rosenthal 62'), Lala, Huszti – Bruggink – Hanke, Schlaudraff (Forssell 65')
Goals: 1-0 Bordon (2'), 2-0 Kuranyi (7'), 3-0 Kuranyi (64')
Referee: Günter Perl (Munich)
Attendance: 61,673 (sold out)
Yellow cards: Rakitic – Lala, Balitsch