week 13 - match report

Schalke claim the spoils on a sombre day for football

This was no ordinary game. The meeting of the Royal Blues and Hannover took place under exceptional circumstances following the death of Robert Enke.

There was a very muted atmosphere inside the ground during the run-up to kick-off and the crowd paid their respects to the late Hannover goalkeeper with a minute's silence once the teams had taken to the field. Within seconds there was not a sound to be heard inside the VELTINS Arena. Supporters in the North Stand held up banners in Enke's memory, but Matchday 13 took its toll only once a huge wave of applause had swept through the stadium.

Whether due to the circumstances or not, the first half was an arduous affair. The Royal Blues endeavoured to gain control of the proceedings but found themselves up against a Hannover side who in spite of everything were on their toes and gradually began to shift their focus from a policy of wait-and-see to one of attack. "Hannover were a touch better in the first half and we were too cautious", criticised head coach Felix Magath. "We didn't really get going until the second half."

After the interval Benedikt Höwedes returned from a sprained knee to partner Marcelo Bordon in central defence, with Heiko Westermann switching to left-back. Slowly but surely the Royal Blues increased the pressure and eventually got the goal they so badly wanted from a set piece, Jefferson Farfan heading home a corner to dispel any remaining tension. Schalke went on to fashion a string of chances to add to their one-goal cushion, with only the visiting keeper standing in their way. "Florian Fromlowitz was outstanding in goal", acknowledged Magath. The Hannover custodian ensured the game remained on a knife edge and it was left to Jan Moravek to land the decisive blow in stoppage time. Schalke's second goal was the young Czech's first strike for the club in just his second Bundesliga appearance.

"Moravek has hardly played at all and earned himself an appearance with his performances in training", explained Magath. The Schalke boss had considered introducing Halil Altintop, but eventually opted for the 20-year-old because he has had fewer chances to date. "Scoring almost immediately will be a great help to a young player like him, of course. I hope it will give him even more impetus so I can use him more often in future."

Despite the defeat Hannover boss Andreas Bergmann was proud of his players, who have been through a difficult time since Enke's death. "We made the best of the situation", he said. "It wasn't easy, especially for Florian Fromlowitz, but he put in a tremendous performance."

Magath was pleased with what he called a deserved win. "We saw yet again that we have problems when the onus is on us at home. But we keep fighting right to the end and have great morale", he said in praise of his side. The Schalke boss does not believe his young players will suffer a dip in form as the season goes on. He said:  "On the contrary, I think they can improve even more. The fact that we've been able to maintain our position at the top end of the table takes some of the pressure off us."

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Westermann, Bordon, Schmitz - Matip, Moritz, Pliatsikas (Höwedes 46') - Holtby (Rakitic 50') - Farfan (90'+1 Moravek), Kuranyi
Hannover: Fromlowitz - Pinto, Haggui, Schulz, Rausch - Balitsch - Rosenthal (Eggimann 76'), Djakpa (Rama 73') - Bruggink (Hanke 81') - Stajner, Ya Konan
Goals: 1-0 Farfan (69'), 2-0 Moravek (90'+2)
Referee: Wagner (Hofheim)
Attendance: 61,505
Yellow cards: Rafinha (3) - Schulz (3), Pinto