SVW slip to a bitter 2-1 home defeat against Schalke

60th minute: Great play from the Green-Whites as Kainz plays Belfodil through who finds Bartels in a good position but he fires over from the edge of the area.

62nd minute: Naldo has no chance against Belfodil who takes the ball to the touchline and crosses it at pace into the six-yard box where Kainz is just inches away from latching onto it as Fährmann parries away.

71st minute: Belfodil, Bartels and Kainz combine again to give Werder three corners in quick succession. The final corner leads to a shot from the edge of the area which flies just over the bar.

83rd minute: GOAL, 2-1 to Schalke, Leon Goretzka. For the second time this afternoon, Werder concede from a corner. Caligiuri’s delivery is met by Goretzka and he scrapes home from close range.

90+4 minute: Referee Benjamin Brand brings an end to proceedings. Werder couldn’t come back from Schalke’s late winner.

Summary: The Green-Whites dominated possession in the opening stages but after Kruse was forced off with injury, the game became more even. Schalke were gifted an equaliser after Sané put Werder into the lead through Veljkovic’s own goal. Both teams played at a high tempo and very aggressively in the first half. The away side pressed high to force Werder into giving away possession in their own half. This didn’t cause a flurry of chances however as the defensive line reacted well and remained alert apart from at the two decisive set-pieces. It was a feast of attractive, exciting football for the crowd and this remained in the second half. SVW’s performance was courageous and convincing and new signing Ishak Belfodil was a key part of this performance. He was bright throughout, causing constant problems for the Schalke defence. Despite this the guests had the final word, with Werder left lacking in defence from a corner once again.