A very first Bundesliga brace for Stefan Bell, with both goals coming in the space of three minutes, was enough to secure 1. FSV Mainz 05 all three points against FC Schalke 04 in matchday 30’s opening Bundesliga game. The 2-0 defeat means the Royal Blues are now without a win in six consecutive matches, a run that has put their Europa League qualification under threat. <\p>
With a 12-point gap between themselves and fourth-place Gladbach, Schalke’s original season goal of making the Champions League is now all but out of reach. Meanwhile, Mainz’s first home win over S04 in nine years has moved them up to eighth for now, even giving them hope of qualifying for the Europa League.
Royal Blues start well
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach and sporting director Hansi Flick were among the 34,000 watching on in the Coface Arena as Schalke came flying out of the blocks and Roberto Di Matteo’s side should have been a few goals to the good after a matter of minutes. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s strike was well tipped behind by FSV keeper Loris Karius, before Joel Matip’s header from a corner was also brilliantly saved by the Germany U21 international. Jefferson Farfan also came close in the eighth minute, but dragged his shot wide.
The visitors, who are looking to bring World Champion Sami Khedira at the end of the season, had to make a change after just 13 minutes though. Marco Höger had picked up a knock and was replaced by Dennis Aogo. The next Schalke chance followed soon after, with Leroy Sané this time the player unable to convert.
Mainz punish wasteful Schalke
Schalke were promptly punished for spurning goal scoring opportunities. Central defender Bell stabbed home from inside the six-yard box, before heading home only minutes later. The goals were his second and third of this Bundesliga campaign and both came from Johannes Geis corners. The sought-after Geis almost added to the home side’s tally with a free kick before the break.
Schalke manager Roberto Di Matteo didn’t make any changes to his side at half time. Leon Goretzka replaced Roman Neustädter in the 54th minute, while young stars Julian Draxler and Max Meyer remained on the bench. Just before the substitution, Farfan missed a great chance, after failing to connect properly with the ball. Draxler entered the fray in the 63rd minute. Ja-Cheol Koo spurned the opportunity to put the game to bed seven minutes later when his effort rattled the crossbar. Shortly after, Geis had the last real chance of the match but his free kick ricocheted off the post.
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A very first Bundesliga brace for Stefan Bell, with both goals coming in the space of three minutes, was enough to secure 1. FSV Mainz 05 all three points against FC Schalke 04 in matchday 30’s opening Bundesliga game. The 2-0 defeat means the Royal Blues are now without a win in six consecutive matches, a run that has put their Europa League qualification under threat. <\p>
With a 12-point gap between themselves and fourth-place Gladbach, Schalke’s original season goal of making the Champions League is now all but out of reach. Meanwhile, Mainz’s first home win over S04 in nine years has moved them up to eighth for now, even giving them hope of qualifying for the Europa League.
Royal Blues start well
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach and sporting director Hansi Flick were among the 34,000 watching on in the Coface Arena as Schalke came flying out of the blocks and Roberto Di Matteo’s side should have been a few goals to the good after a matter of minutes. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s strike was well tipped behind by FSV keeper Loris Karius, before Joel Matip’s header from a corner was also brilliantly saved by the Germany U21 international. Jefferson Farfan also came close in the eighth minute, but dragged his shot wide.
The visitors, who are looking to bring World Champion Sami Khedira at the end of the season, had to make a change after just 13 minutes though. Marco Höger had picked up a knock and was replaced by Dennis Aogo. The next Schalke chance followed soon after, with Leroy Sané this time the player unable to convert.
Mainz punish wasteful Schalke
Schalke were promptly punished for spurning goal scoring opportunities. Central defender Bell stabbed home from inside the six-yard box, before heading home only minutes later. The goals were his second and third of this Bundesliga campaign and both came from Johannes Geis corners. The sought-after Geis almost added to the home side’s tally with a free kick before the break.
Schalke manager Roberto Di Matteo didn’t make any changes to his side at half time. Leon Goretzka replaced Roman Neustädter in the 54th minute, while young stars Julian Draxler and Max Meyer remained on the bench. Just before the substitution, Farfan missed a great chance, after failing to connect properly with the ball. Draxler entered the fray in the 63rd minute. Ja-Cheol Koo spurned the opportunity to put the game to bed seven minutes later when his effort rattled the crossbar. Shortly after, Geis had the last real chance of the match but his free kick ricocheted off the post.
