Week 23 - Match report

Gap cut after 2-1 defeat in Wolfsburg

The key moment of the game arrived with just over an hour gone. Kevin Kuranyi had already nodded Schalke in front and his header looked destined for the net, but Jan Simunek cleared the ball off the line, also with his head. For Wolfsburg it was the spark that ignited an attacking burst with which they turned the game around.

With Rafinha serving a one-match ban, head coach Felix Magath handed new signing Hao Junmin his league debut at right-back, making him the first Chinese player to represent Schalke in the Bundesliga. Peer Kluge also returned to the midfield for his first appearance since tearing an ankle ligament in the second-half opener against Nürnberg. Wolfsburg began with the side that had drawn 2-2 at Villarreal in the Europa League just three days previously.

The Royal Blues went into the match eight games undefeated, whereas the home side were ten without a win, but they began looking motivated enough to bring both runs to an end. And when Edin Dzeko put the ball in the Schalke net after twelve minutes, their plan appeared to be working, but referee Dr Helmut Fleischer ruled that the Bosnian had been in an offside position. With Zvjezdan Misimovic pulling the strings in the Wolfsburg midfield early on, the Royal Blues were unable to mount any serious threat on Wolfsburg's third-choice goalkeeper, Marwin Hitz, who was making his Bundesliga debut.

But as so often this season Schalke demonstrated their efficiency on the half hour when Kevin Kuranyi converted their first chance of the game for his 12th goal of the season. The Wolves were left silenced by the opener, a situation that remained the same for the rest of the half.

In the second period Schalke switched to a counterattacking strategy, but failed to produce them in sufficient number or quality. The best of them, as already mentioned, fell to Kuranyi. "That was a key moment. If we'd gone 2-0 up, we'd have won the game," said Magath with reference to Simunek's goal-line clearance. "The situation gave Wolfsburg fresh impetus." Suitably buoyed, the home side increased the pressure on Manuel Neuer's goal. The Germany keeper had already pulled off several good saves and had a hand in ensuring that the reigning champions hit the bar twice in succession in the 58th minute. But with 20 minutes left he did have to pick the ball out of the net.

Grafite had already scored twice against Villarreal. And last season's leading goalscorer fired another brace to turn the game around within the space of six minutes (71'/77'). "I'm pleased for him that he's found his old form," said Felix Magath, "though he could have waited a little bit longer as far as I'm concerned." Only then did the Royal Blues re-enter the fight, but they were unable to strike again and thus paid the price for being too passive. Magath said: "We were too cautious on occasions in the second half and didn't do enough going forward to relieve the pressure. Wolfsburg were better overall and deserved to win." Opposing manager Lorenz-Günther Köstner was delighted with his first win since taking charge. "We showed courage, desire and a willingness to run and we were rewarded," he said.

Schalke remain in third place, but the defeat sees the gap to Hamburg close to five points. Borussia Dortmund now lurk six points behind, which means it is up to the Royal Blues to extend this cushion in this Friday's local derby (VELTINS Arena, 2030 CET).

Wolfsburg: Hitz - Pekarik, Madlung, Simunek, Schäfer - Josue - Riether, Misimovic, Gentner (Dejagah 46') - Grafite, Dzeko
Schalke: Neuer - Hao (Baumjohann 74'), Höwedes, Bordon, Schmitz - Matip - Kluge (Moritz 63'), - Rakitic - Farfan, Kuranyi, Sanchez (Moravek 54')
Goals: 0-1 Kuranyi (30'), 1-1 Grafite (71'), 2-1 Grafite (77')
Attendance: 30,000 (sold out)
Referee: Fleischer (Sigmertshausen)
Yellow card: Pekarik