The fans at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen watched a visiting team who were camped around the Schalke box from the very first minute. S04 boss Andre Breitenreiter adopted a very defensive formation. In front of keeper Ralf Fährmann, Schalke played with a back five alongside World Cup winner Benedikt Höwedes. The tactic did not go to plan, as David Alaba found the corner after just nine minutes.
Meyer puts Schalke’s first chance away
The record champions kept the pressure up, but it was Schalke who managed to strike back. A quick counter through Leroy Sane ended in U21 international Max Meyer finishing past Manuel Neuer (17'). Schalke made life very difficult for Bayern. Pep Guardiola’s side could not reassert the dominance they had enjoyed at the start of the match, especially as Schalke looked to hit them on the break at every opportunity.
Martinez scores a header
This remained the case in the second half, even though Bayern were growing stronger and stronger. Arjen Robben was not closed down on the wing, and defensive player Javi Martinez nodded home to give the Munich side a deserved lead.
Schalke made attacking substitutions, and threw everything at Bayern in the final stages. Robert Lewandowski hit the post, and right at the end, national player Thomas Müller finished coolly to made it 3-1 to Bayern (90'+2).