SV Werder have lost their away Bundesliga tie to FC Schalke 04, 3-1. S04 took a two-goal advantage through Alessandro Schöpf (35’) and Nabil Bentaleb (38’) but Serge Gnabry gave the Green-Whites hope of a comeback, halving the deficit three minutes before half time from the penalty spot. After the break, Schöpf got his second and restored the hosts’ two-goal lead (63’) to effectively kill off the game.
Line-up: Werder coach Alexander Nouri made three changes to the starting XI that faced Freiburg last week as he looked to carry on SVW’s three match unbeaten streak against S04. Lamine Sané, who picked up an injury in last week’s game, was replaced by Milos Veljkovic in the back four, while Thanos Petsos was given his first start as the holding midfielder. Serge Gnabry swapped his wide position for a more central one as he started as the lone striker, which meant Fin Bartels took up the position Gnabry vacated - the Green-Whites were set up in a 4-1-4-1 system. Ousman Manneh and Izet Hajrovic had to settle for places on the bench after starting last week, next to them on the bench sat Claudio Pizarro for the first time this season after a long time out with injury.
2nd minute: Werder have the first corner which Theodor Gebre Selassie meets with his head, however, he’s under pressure so can’t get enough power on the ball - Ralf Fährmann is able to hold on.
5th minute: At the opposite end, Schalke get a corner which leads to a huge chance for Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting. The ball falls to the unmarked striker but he blazes over from inside the penalty box – a huge chance in the opening five minutes.
15th minute: Gebre Selassie with a thunderous strike on goal! From almost 30 yards, the full-back tries his luck but Fährmann is again equal to his effort. Overall it’s been a positive start for the Green-Whites.
27th minute: The Royal Blues have gotten more of a grasp on the game but Werder’s defence is looking strong, they’re not leaving much space around the penalty area for Schalke’s attackers. However, Werder’s counter attacks are lacking the precision required to be effective.
35th minute: Goal for Schalke. A Choupo Moting strike cannons off the bar but Alessandro Schöpf reacts fastest to head in the rebound.
38th minute: The hosts double their lead and again it comes from a rebound. Naldo fires in a free kick from 25 yards and Wiedwald can only parry it. Again, a Royal Blue shirt gets to the ball first - this time Choupo Moting scores for Schalke.
42nd minute: Werder get one back! Gnabry from the penalty spot! Clemens Fritz plays the ball into the direction of Werder’s no. 29, the ball doesn’t quite reach him and as he and Schöpf fight for the ball, he’s fouled. Gnabry dusts himself down to slot away the penalty.
45th minute: Half time in Gelsenkirchen. SVW almost ruin a decent start to the match in a matter of minutes, but Gnabry’s strike has given the visitors hope in the second half.
57th minute: Sead Kolasinac crosses the ball to Schöpf who shoots wide with a first-time effort at Wiedwald’s goal. Shortly after, Choupo Moting is inches away from scoring off another rebounded effort, this time it’s Geis who had the initial shot.
62nd minute: Bartels on the attack for Werder, but Fährmann is able to deal with his right-footed attempt.
63rd minute: Schöpf puts his team 3-1 up. Werder lose the ball on the half way line and it’s Kolasinac who eventually puts the ball into the box. His low cross evades everyone apart from Schöpf at the far post. The Schalke man keeps his cool under pressure from Junuzovic to slot past Wiedwald.
70th minute: Werder coach Nouri makes his team more attacking-minded, after bringing on Izet Hajrovic for Clemens Fritz, Claudio Pizarro makes his comeback, replacing Fin Bartels. It’s great to see him back on the pitch! Maybe he can swing the game in Werder’s favour?
80th minute: Schalke react to Werder becoming more offensive so they themselves take a more conservative approach. However, the Green-Whites are finding it hard to break down the Royal Blue defence.
86th minute: Florian Grillitsch is bumped into from behind in the penalty area but SVW don’t get a second penalty. Werder continue to push but are failing to create any clear goal-scoring chances.
90th minute: Full time, Werder lose 3-1 to Schalke.
Summary: SVW were looking solid at the back, before two lapse and somewhat unlucky moments ruined the good performance up until that point. Even in the second half, the Green Whites conceded a goal after a good opening period. After the third goal, Werder struggled to get back into the game, Alexander Nouri’s side showed a positive attitude throughout, but the Schalke defence proved tough to unlock. SVW’s next Bundesliga encounter is in exactly two weeks time against Eintracht Frankfurt, after the international break.
