FC Schalke 04

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FC Energie Cottbus are celebrating their first win of the season after 14 winless games. They gave a strong showing against FC Schalke 04, beating the favourites 1:0 (0:0).

Racking up only two points from the past four contests, Schalke have fallen further off the top of the table after this, their first away loss of the season. Now they have to play English Cup winners FC Chelsea in a Champions League game on Tuesday.

Christian Bassila netted the winning goal in the 46th minute for Cottbus, who hadn't won a game in half a year. It was Bassila's first of the season.

Lövenkrands blows big chance

More than 17 thousand fans watched a match that began lively, with both teams getting scoring chances early on. Schalke striker Peter Lövenkrands blew the biggest chance after a long pass from Fabian Ernst, standing alone ten meters out in the ninth minute.

Schalke then calmed the game down a bit, but without ever really taking the upper hand. As in past weeks, the guests seemed to lack focus and precision in their attack. The Royal Blues were most dangerous in standard situations.

Bordon to be banned against Hamburg

Skipper Marcelo Bordon, who saw yellow for the fifth time and will be banned in the next game against Hamburg, took a free kick in the 42nd minute that just deflected off the woodwork.

The hosts got more active towards the end of the first half, and with two close calls from Dennis Sörensen, they exposed unexpected coordination problems in Schalke's defense.

Bassila scores to open the second half

Bassila took advantage of one of those problems just 17 seconds into the second half, when Schalke's Heiko Westermann unwittingly fed him the ball after colliding with teammate Jermaine Jones, leading to the undeserved 1:0. Schalke nevertheless stepped up the tempo, but lacked ideas in the midfield, leaving them vulnerable to Cotbuss's counterattacks.

Schalke coach Mirko Slomka had to do without the services of German international Christian Pander, who has a knee injury and will also miss the Chelsea game. Westermann moved into the left side of the defense in his place. That's why Mladen Krstajic made his Bundesliga comeback in the center of the defense after a nine-week absence due to injury.

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21' Schalke 0 - 0 Chelsea

watching it right now ..

i hope Neuer will be good tonight .

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HT 0-0.

Both teams equal thus far.

Schalke played a lil better. Had more chances on goal than Chelsea.

Lets see what happens after the break.

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Second half has just begun.

Good news for Schalke is that Cech is no longer in goal for Chelsea. He has been substituted off because of an injury he picked during the first half.

Maybe it'll be easier to score now for Schalke. Let's see.

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a boring match ....

FT Schalke 0 - 0 Chelsea

[Robinho4Ever]

a boring match ....

FT Schalke 0 - 0 Chelsea

I don't agree it was boring, because there were some nice football and some misses !!

* A nice sig of Klose you have there

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Originally Posted by Robinho4Ever

I don't agree it was boring, because there were some nice football and some misses !!

* A nice sig of Klose you have there

danke !

[Ylli_Bayern]

Nice Game by Shalke 04...they should won this game...they were better than Chelsea. damn.

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Schalke were really better then Chelsea.
Just like in first half, they continued it in second half.

Chelsea were lucky to leave VELTINS-Arena with a point.

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Schalke midfielder injured

Bad news for Schalke 04: Mesut Özil is expected to be sidelined for a while.

Mirko Slomka had paid Özil a compliment after Schalke's home match against Chelsea in the Champions League.

"He did extremely well", Slomka rang the praises. Even more regrettable that the Under-21 international is facing another spell on the sidelines.

Özil had left the pitch in agony after an hour and was substituted. "Apparently he's torn the same ankle ligament as before, but we're waiting on examinations to confirm that", Slomka said.

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Two back for Schalke 04

Two Schalke players have returned to fitness in time for the match against Hamburger SV.

Fabian Ernst has overcome flu and will be back after missing the goalless draw with Chelsea.

Rafinha too was back in training after complaining of thigh problems after the Chelsea match.

But the "Royal Blues" still have a lot of personell problems. Captain Marcelo Bordon is suspended after picking up five bookings.

Christian Pander, Levan Kobiashvili, Mathias Abel, Dario Rodriguez, Mesut Özil, Kevin Kuranyi, Gustavo Varela, Halil Altintop and Markus Heppke are all injured.

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Bundesliga, Matchday 13 PREVIEW
FC Schalke 04 - Hamburger SV

Schalke (7th) have picked up just two points from their last four Bundesliga matches, but they put in a decent performance in midweek when they drew 0-0 with Chelsea in the Champions League.

"Our aim has to be to repeat the performance we showed in the Champions League", said Schalke coach Mirko Slomka. "Our commitment and tactical discipline in particular were very pleasing

Second-placed HSV are unbeaten for seven Bundesliga matches, having won six of those.

"This is a big game for us. We have to invest all our power and concentration and go to our limits to be successful", HSV sporting director Dietmar Beiersdorfer demanded.

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Schalke 1 - 1 Hamburger SV

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Schalke 1 - 1 Hamburger SV

12' [1 - 0] M. Krstajic
35' [1 - 1] I. Olic

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Hamburger SV miss a golden opportunity to overtake FCB at the top of the Bundesliga. They can console themselves with a point.

HSV picked up a valuable point against Schalke 04. They close the gap at the top and remain unbeaten in twelve matches.

Early Schalke lead

Schalke started brightly and scored early but they are still without a win in five Bundesliga games.

61.482 fans packed inside the Arena and most of them were delighted when Mladen Krstajic gave them the lead after twelve minutes.

Olic to the rescue

Ivica Olic (35.) scored the equaliser for the visitors and they will be happy to pick up a point from a difficult match.

HSV re hot on FCB`s heels and are breathing down their necks.