Die Königsblauen halted their two match losing streak with a tough 2-0 victory over Arminia Bielefeld. The match marked the debut of Schalke's caretaker triumvirate of Mike Büskens, Youri Mulder and Oliver Reck and while not a spectacular performance, all victories are well received this year.With Benedikt Höwedes and Mladen Krstajic out of the starting eleven due to injury, Schalke as expected were received with a tough minded play of their schwarz-weiß-blauen hosts. After DSC missed a number of clear-cut chances Jefferson Farfán gave Schalke the lead seconds before the break with a stunning goal. Vicente Sanchez, trying to shake off a DSC defender, back heeled the ball to the corner with Christian Pander chasing it down and sending a perfect cross that Farfán headed-in from three metres. Deserving or not, Schalke went to the break leading 1-0. Playing down a goal, Michael Frontzeck was constantly in their weak spot and forced to go forward were susceptible to the counter. Die Königsblauen were on the verge of adding to the margin on many occasions but finishing was off. Kevin Kurányi was bewildered as his efforts feel short but finally just before the match ended he found the net from Jermaine Jones to make it 2-0.
Photo Credit: FC Schalke 04 (firo-sportphoto)
