Updated January 17, 2020, 10:35 pm
No whistles against the outgoing Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nübel. The future Bayern professional was blocked against Gladbach in the stands – and saw an entertaining duel with a perfect outcome.
FC Schalke 04 missed the first setback in the title race at the start of the second half of the Bundesliga Bundesliga Borussia Mönchengladbach. After the 2-0 (0-0) in a fast-paced top game on Friday evening, the team of coach David Wagner could now even intervene in the most exciting championship fight in years. With goals from national player Suat Serdar (48th minute) and winter newcomer Michael Gregoritsch (58th), the royal blues moved past archrival Borussia Dortmund to fourth with 33 points at least for one night.
The surprisingly strong Gladbachers in the rear series were beaten with their own weapons by passionate Schalke at the start of the 18th game day: early attack, high readiness to run and great aggressiveness in the duels.
Before returning to the premier class?
Should FC Bayern win at Hertha BSC on Sunday, the Gladbachers would initially fall back to third place. In two weeks, the Rhinelanders have to compete with the RB Leipzig autumn champions. Schalke can have a positive result in the coming week at FC Bayern intervene definitively in the title race. At least the return to the Champions League seems conceivable after the strong performance.
In front of 62,271 spectators in the sold-out Schalker Arena, a highly entertaining duel developed from the outset, in which whistles or expressions of displeasure by the fans against the Schalke goalkeeper who emigrated to Bayern after the season Alexander Nübel failed to materialize.
The ex-captain sat in the bleachers because of his red barrier and saw a sovereign performance by his deputy and designated successor Markus Schubert. This was in focus for the first time in the 5th minute when he took a shot from Gladbach Alassane Plea swiftly steered over the crossbar. After his kung fu action against Frankfurt’s Mijat Gacinovic, Nübel still has to watch the next game at Bayern – however, some fans demand that the 23-year-old never again for Schalke should play.
Three chances until the half-time whistle
Schubert showed an unagitated performance in the first half, but was hardly challenged. When he was struck after a header by Marcus Thuram, Gregoritsch saved on the line (37.). Patrick Herrmann did not let Schubert outsmart him from close range (45th). Until referee Deniz Aytekin’s break whistle, the Gladbachers’ only three chances remained.
Schalke had more of the game – but Gladbach’s best, goalkeeper Yann Sommer, prevented Gregoritsch (6th), Alessandro Schöpf (16th) and Benito Raman (28th) from falling behind. The Swiss national goalkeeper was beaten a few minutes after the break. After passing from Gregoritsch, Serdar ran relatively undisturbed towards the Borussen goal and let summer no defense against his seventh goal of the season. The opening goal spurred on Schalke, who increased to 2-0 ten minutes later.
Small gift for Gregoritsch
After winning the ball in his own penalty area, Serdar fitted nicely on Raman, who unselfishly tipped Gregoritsch. The Austrian scored his first goal in his first competitive game for royal blue. Gladbach’s trainer Marco Rose reacted and brought Florian Neuhaus for Herrmann (59.). After his submission, Thuram had the chance to score, but Schubert fended off (71.). Before the four-minute stoppage time, Gregoritsch was able to enjoy the deserved applause of the fans when he was substituted – his teammates defended their 2-0 victory with ease. (Best / Reuters)
The Austrian had to wait six hours at 175m for help.
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