Week 22 - Match report

Schalke beat Cologne 2-0 to equal 1974 club record

Goals from Joel Matip (45'+1) and Jefferson Farfan (81') saw Schalke consolidate third place in the Bundesliga with a 2-0 success against FC Cologne on Sunday. The victory was doubly pleasing as it ensured the Royal Blues equalled a 36-year-old club record of six home wins in a row without conceding a goal.

Felix Magath was understandably delighted. "The win over Cologne was immensely important for the rest of the season," the Schalke manager said. "We've managed to build a points cushion ahead of some very difficult fixtures in the next few weeks. We could now lose a game without dropping a place in the table."

Schalke, with Christoph Moritz in the starting line up for Alexander Baumjohann in contrast to the 1-0 win at VfL Osnabrück in the DFB Cup quarter-final, were made to work hard for their victory. In front of a sell-out crowd at the VELTINS Arena the Royal Blues struggled against a defensively strong and smart Cologne side who were unbeaten in their previous eight away matches. "It was hard for us to create chances," said Magath, a view shared by his Cologne counterpart Zvonimir Soldo. "Both teams were very cautious, which is why goalscoring opportunities remained a rarity in the first half," he said.

In first-half stoppage time, however, Joel Matip made a splash when he powered home a header from a Lukas Schmitz free-kick. "Joel took his goal fantastically well," said Magath in praise of the 18-year-old. "He showed great determination to get to the ball and in doing so force the lead. There was no luck about it." The goal left the visitors stunned. "There can hardly be a more unfortunate time to concede," a frustrated Soldo said.

The lead gave the Royal Blues added assurance in the second half and they stepped up their efforts significantly, though gilt-edged chances remained at a premium. At the other end of the field it was no different. Cologne showed endeavour, but carried little attacking threat. Jefferson Farfan eventually put the result beyond doubt nine minutes from time, converting Kevin Kuranyi's text-book pass from close range to make it 2-0. "The goal was very well worked," said Magath in praise of his strike pairing. "In view of the second half we definitely deserved the three points."

The 56-year-old also had words of praise for the crowd. "The fans didn't become impatient when things weren't going so well before the break," he said. "Instead they backed us and got right behind the team." Magath was therefore especially delighted for the supporters that his side had been able to secure their sixth successive clean-sheet win at the VELTINS Arena.

The victory puts Schalke on 45 points and keeps them in touching distance of the table-topping duo Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, who are three points better off. The only dampener is that Rafinha will miss next Sunday's trip to reigning champions VfL Wolfsburg after picking up his fifth yellow card in the 74th minute.

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Höwedes, Bordon, Schmitz - Matip, Moritz (Moravek 87') - Rakitic - Farfan, Kuranyi, Sanchez (Baumjohann 67')
Cologne: Mondragon - Schorch, Geromel, Mohamad, Brecko - Petit, Pezzoni - Chihi (Freis 87'), Maniche (Tosic 66'), Podolski - Novakovic
Goals: 1-0 Matip (45'+1), 2-0 Farfan (81')
Attendance: 61,673 (sold out)
Referee: Gagelmann (Bremen)
Yellow cards: Matip (2), Rafinha (5) - Schorch (2)