In a gutsy performance, Schalke fought first-place 1899 Hoffenheim to a 1-1 draw. Die Königsblauen put forth one of their best defensive efforts on the first half of the season, controlling the stunning play of scoring phenom Vedad Ibišević. From the opening whistle, Schalke's determined side shone through and came close to opening the scoring only a few minutes in with Gerald Asamoah's close-in effort. The home side threatened Manuel Neuer after that but five minutes before the break Asamoah avenged his earlier miss as he was led in by Halil Altintop and then tucked the ball safely into the Hoffenheim net.The battle-lines were set after the break, tension was thick and fouls were the harshest in nature. Three minutes before the hour mark Jermaine Jones challenged Luiz Gustavo for the ball but was shown his second yellow as Gustavo went to the crowd.
Fred Rutten said:
"The decision was wrong. If you know Jermaine, you know how good he is at winning the ball."
With eighteen minutes remaining the home side brought the match level with Selim Teber free kick from outside of twenty meters.
The home side benefited from a two-man advantage with ten minutes remaining as Orlando Engelaar was shown his second yellow and although they mounted significant challenges, each was met with the perfect defending move. With that in-mind, the match concluded as a 1-1 draw.
Schalke begins the winter break at seventh place and with significant work to-do in the second half of the season. Two points behind BVB and a further three points behind Bayer Leverkusen they will need address their weaknesses if they wish to attain their Champion League goals. They return to Bundesliga action on January 31 against Hannover 96.
