Bundesliga Schalke vs FC Koln
As the Bundesliga cup league match is going on, the match between Schalke and FC Koln resulted in a draw at Veltins Arena on Sunday. Schalke were urged on by several thousand fans at their final training session on Saturday, and they were close to making a perfect start when debutant Moritz Jenz met a cross from the right at close range, but Marvin Schwabe just managed to hook the ball off his line.
That was enough for Schalke’s 12th man to raise its collective voice, although their vociferous encouragement may have had an undesired influence on a hasty mix-up that saw Soichiro Kozuki get somewhat flustered in front of goal, overzealously squandering the best opportunity of the first half.
Cologne remained largely on the back foot and Davie Selke could do little to improve that, picking up an injury for his efforts which cut short his first start in a Cologne shirt.
Steffen Tigges replaced Selke for the start of the second half and Cologne threatened Ralf Fahrmann’s goal within minutes, Timo Hubers’ header hitting the crossbar. Simon Terodde tried to find a way through for Schalke, but the Bundesliga 2 all-time top goalscorer continued to be frustrated.
Tom Kraub headed the hosts’ next chance over the crossbar before Rodrigo Zalazar made a welcome entrance, getting the home fans on their feet with his first foray forward. The Uruguayan then teed up Kozuki for another good opportunity before sending a shot of his own wide of the post.
Zalazar continued to look the most likely source of danger, but for all of his and Schalke’s efforts, there would not be a winner on another frustrating afternoon for the Royal Blues at the VELTINS-Arena.
Bayern Munich remain the team to beat in the German top flight with Julian Nagelsmann’s juggernaut side 31-time winners of the competition.
Boasting some of the best players in the world such as Sadio Mane, Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer they are always favourites to retain their league crown.
Rivals Borussia Dortmund traditionally push them the closest and have won the title five times, most recently back in 2012 under Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Borussia Monchengladbach were a force in the Seventies winning the league five times but are without a champion team since while Werder Bremen, Hamburg and Stuttgart are all multi-time winners too.
RB Leipzig are the newest kids on the block and backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull are now threatening to challenge for a first title of their own.
Schalke vs FC Koln Bundesliga
With Fahrmann, Tim Skarke and Jenz starting today, Schalke have now used 33 different players this season – more than any other side in the Bundesliga.
No Schalke home game, or any fixture involving Cologne, had previously ended goalless this season.
Schalke have lost 10 of their last 12 games in all competitions, with a 1-0 victory over Mainz their only victory during that run.
Schalke trailed 4-0 at half time at home to Leipzig on Tuesday evening, with Soichiro Kozuki’s 56th-minute consolation strike the only moment of cheer for the home fans in attendance at Veltins-Arena to celebrate across a miserable match for them to endure.
Reis will be determined to help his players gain a positive result at the same venue against Koln on Sunday, otherwise his side could be cut even further adrift at the bottom of the table.
Koln, on the other hand, appear to have relished the return of German football, collecting four points from two matches to move up to 10th in the table ahead of the weekend’s action.
Reis’s men have the worst attack in the top tier with just 14 goals, at least three fewer than any other side.
Cologne are unbeaten in their last nine Bundesliga games against Schalke, while their last league loss at the VELTINS-Arena came in 2011.
