The omens before the Schalke home game against champions Bayern? As disastrous as the last year of the Royal Blues. The supposed savior Sead Kolasinac (27) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (37) are missing against the leader due to injury. And the latest statistics against Bayern? Make no hope either. At the start of the season in September there is an 8-0 pack. In general, the Royal Blues have previously lost all of the last nine competitive games against Munich – with a goal difference of 2:30!
There was no exploit on the 18th day of this season either. A year ago, when the Schalke crash began, the gap to Bayern is still three points. S04 is now at the other end of the table. With 35 points difference to the front runner from Munich …
The next clear defeat
In the home game against Robert Lewandowski and Co., Christian Gross’ squad is clearly left behind and goes down 4-0. Despite a decent start – and despite a long strong goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann, who only looks unhappy with the fourth goal – after an Alaba flutter ball. Before that, he prevented an even bigger Schalke debacle with great reflexes.
Thomas Müller, twice with his head, and Lewandowski, with his 23rd goal of the season, still make it 3-0 up to the 88th minute.
Gross looks at the side how the fourth bankruptcy in his fifth Schalke game becomes a fact. Eight points behind the relegation place are now, ten on the saving 15th place.
That means ex-Schalke goalie Neuer
The threatening situation of the Gelsenkircheners even concerns Bayern goalie Manuel Neuer, who, when asked about his ex-club after the final whistle, explains: “I wish the Schalkeers that they stay in the league and can still turn the tide!”
While Bayern pull away at the top, the Schalke situation is becoming more and more hopeless, more and more a Mission Impossible.
Or not? At first Gross stated soberly: “We did some things very well, but some very badly of course.” Then he added that, despite the clear result, he recognized “progress” in the game. Will the turnaround succeed against Werder next Saturday? Fährmann is combative: «For us now the important games are coming. Wipe your mouth and win in Bremen! ” (mpe)