Early on, it looked like Schalke would have more than they could handle from visitors and defending champions Bayern Munich. But they managed a surprise second half goal, and were able to hang on for a 1-1 draw, despite a mostly sub-par performance.
Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich: Final score 1-1, Schalke earn a hard-fought point
Schalke avoided a third straight competitive defeat to open the season, taking a point at home against FC Bayern in a 1-1 draw.
When Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead in the 10th minute, it looked like that may be all that Pep Guardiola's side would need. As per usual, the Bayern goal followed a great spell of possession for the Bavarians. Bayern went on to keep nearly 64 percent of the ball in the first half.
Manuel Neuer is arguably the best keeper in the world, in part because his sweeping ability enables his defensive line to play quite high up the pitch. In the 40th minute, Neuer charged out to sweep up play, but his clearance went straight to Kaan Ayhan, and unfortunately for Schalke the 18-year-old defender's shot from over 40 yards out went wide right.
The major incident of the match came in the 62nd minute, when Schalke defender Benedikt Höwedes made it 1-1 on a set piece. Xabi Alonso attempted to clear it off the goal line following a scramble, but the ball was kicked straight into Höwedes' hand, and went into goal. His hand was inside his body, though, and the goal stood.
Two minutes from time, David Alaba was tackled just inside the area but was told to get up by the referee. It was a tough decision but it looked like the correct one. Four minutes of extra time saw few chances for either team.
FC Bayern looked nowhere near as dominant in the second half. With Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery out, the attack doesn’t look as dynamic as it will later in the season. Credit the Konigsblauen for keeping it tight at the back and surviving the pressure to get a point at home against Bayern, which is always a good point. Bayern will rue the chance to take three after going up early on.
FC Schalke 04: Ralf Fährmann; Kaan Ayhan (Dennis Aogo 77'), Felipe Santana (Christian Fuchs 81'), Matip, Benedikt Höwedes; Marco Höger, Jan Kirchoff (Roman Neustädter 40'); Julian Draxler, Max Meyer, Sam; Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Goals: Höwedes (62’)
FC Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer; Holger Badstuber, Xabi Alonso (Pierre-Emile Højbjerg 68'), Jerome Boateng (60'); Xherdan Shaqiri, Philipp Lahm, Sebastian Rode, David Alaba; Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski, Mario Götze (Juan Bernat 57').
Goals: Lewandowski (10’)
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