By Rich M.
Schalke picked up an important 3 points on Friday with a 5:2 home victory over Hertha Berlin. Schalke came into the match 1 point and 1 spot behind Hertha, but began the scoring just 3 minutes in, when Tim Skarke curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. His goal was followed just 11 minutes later, when Marius Bülter picked up a cross from Skarke and headed the ball in from close range. Hertha’s Steven Jovetic finally narrowed the lead in the extra time at the end of the first half, but Schalke extended their lead again in the 48th minute, thanks to a goal from Simon Terodde. Schalke’s Bülter scored again in the 78th minute to make the score 4:1, but Hertha narrowed the lead again in the 84th minute with a goal from Marco Richter. The final goal came 2 minutes into extra time, when Marcin Kaminiski curled in a free kick. The loss now leaves Hertha at the bottom of the table, while Schalke occupies the relegation playoff spot going into the rest of the weekend’s matches. The club occupying the other relegation spot, VfB Stuttgart, will host Dortmund on Saturday. Both teams need to pick up points: Dortmund to overtake Bayern in the table, and Stuttgart to escape relegation danger. Stuttgart moved off the bottom of the table last weekend, thanks to a win over Bochum, but are still adjusting to new coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Dortmund are also coming off a victory last weekend, over Union Berlin, but remain 2 points behind league leaders Bayern. Dortmund have more Bundesliga wins away at Stuttgart than at any other club, including 7 of their last 8 visits. Bayern will host Hoffenheim on Saturday. Bayern are coming off a UEFA Champions League loss to Manchester City, and have picked up just 1 goal in their last 3 games. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, have finally turned the corner from a 14-game winless streak, having collected consecutive victories over Hertha, Bremen, and Schalke. Union Berlin remain close behind Bayern and Dortmund in the table and will host Bochum on Sunday. Although Union lost to Dortmund last time out, the club enjoys a 4-point cushion over 5th-place Freiburg, and have won 9 of their last 13 home matches. Bochum are just 3 points above the relegation zone, and had a 3-game unbeaten streak broken by Stuttgart. The club also has the worst goal differential in the league, and a loss could drop them back into the relegation zone. Bochum did, however, win the reverse fixture earlier this season. The final match of the weekend occurs later Sunday when Wolfsburg host Leverkusen. The latter are currently the most in-form club in the league.
Schalke picked up an important 3 points on Friday with a 5:2 home victory over Hertha Berlin. Schalke came into the match 1 point and 1 spot behind Hertha, but began the scoring just 3 minutes in, when Tim Skarke curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. His goal was followed just 11 minutes later, when Marius Bülter picked up a cross from Skarke and headed the ball in from close range. Hertha’s Steven Jovetic finally narrowed the lead in the extra time at the end of the first half, but Schalke extended their lead again in the 48th minute, thanks to a goal from Simon Terodde. Schalke’s Bülter scored again in the 78th minute to make the score 4:1, but Hertha narrowed the lead again in the 84th minute with a goal from Marco Richter. The final goal came 2 minutes into extra time, when Marcin Kaminiski curled in a free kick. The loss now leaves Hertha at the bottom of the table, while Schalke occupies the relegation playoff spot going into the rest of the weekend’s matches. The club occupying the other relegation spot, VfB Stuttgart, will host Dortmund on Saturday. Both teams need to pick up points: Dortmund to overtake Bayern in the table, and Stuttgart to escape relegation danger. Stuttgart moved off the bottom of the table last weekend, thanks to a win over Bochum, but are still adjusting to new coach Sebastian Hoeneß. Dortmund are also coming off a victory last weekend, over Union Berlin, but remain 2 points behind league leaders Bayern. Dortmund have more Bundesliga wins away at Stuttgart than at any other club, including 7 of their last 8 visits. Bayern will host Hoffenheim on Saturday. Bayern are coming off a UEFA Champions League loss to Manchester City, and have picked up just 1 goal in their last 3 games. Hoffenheim, on the other hand, have finally turned the corner from a 14-game winless streak, having collected consecutive victories over Hertha, Bremen, and Schalke. Union Berlin remain close behind Bayern and Dortmund in the table and will host Bochum on Sunday. Although Union lost to Dortmund last time out, the club enjoys a 4-point cushion over 5th-place Freiburg, and have won 9 of their last 13 home matches. Bochum are just 3 points above the relegation zone, and had a 3-game unbeaten streak broken by Stuttgart. The club also has the worst goal differential in the league, and a loss could drop them back into the relegation zone. Bochum did, however, win the reverse fixture earlier this season. The final match of the weekend occurs later Sunday when Wolfsburg host Leverkusen. The latter are currently the most in-form club in the league.
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