After their 3-0 win away at Hamburger SV, Schalke went into the Wolfsburg game confident. However for Wolfsburg they came into this match on the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Hannover 96. In the previous meeting Wolfsburg thrashed Schalke 4-0, they’d hope for the same in the upcoming game.
Schalke started off the better side. Obasi forced a great save from Benaglio initially. From the resulting corner, a deflection off Boateng onto a Wolfsburg payer ricocheted off Santana, slithering past Benaglio to make it 1-0.
Wolfsburg had some great chances to equalize and potentially go ahead; which brought a goal however Naldo was adjudged to have jumped unfairly. Ochs shot from outside the box brought a superb save from Fahrmann. Then Wolfsburg had a dangerous costless kick. The ball was whipped into a dangerous area of Schalke’s area and Gustavo’s header forced a superb save by Fahrmann. More chances fell for Wolfsburg, one of which came for Perisic but his cross couldn’t find Olic. Five minutes before half time, a defence splitting ball from Wolfsburg chased down by Olic was closed down well from Fahrmann.
From Wolfsburg's first half performance, it was clear that they lacked that vital final product. Fahrmann kept the lead for Schalke with some fantastic saves, most notably the save from Luis Gustavo's close range header.
The second half started off controversially as Caligiuri sent off. Not many people where quite sure why. However, it seems it was for dissent and an inappropriate gesture towards the referee; which first viewings did not show.
Wolfsburg showed no sign of giving up after going down to ten men. On 65 minutes, Persic’s shot was saved by Fahrmann and scored by Arnold on the rebound.
Farfan had his penalty appeal against Arnold denied. For once, it was the correct decision by Wolfgang Stark.
Schalke created numerous chances to add to their lead after the break. Huntelaar had a chance but dragged his shot wide. Die Köningsblauen reacted well to Wolfsburg equalizer bringing a well-worked move from Schalke. The ball was slipped to Meyer, whose shot was superbly saved by Benaglio.Then another superb Kevin-Prince Boateng finished off flowing move in the 81st minute. Benaglio was finally beaten after pulling off some superb saves, keeping Wolfsburg's hopes alive. Schalke looked to take advantage of the one man advantage and looked to put the game to bed. Huntelaar and Farfan had great chances in stoppage time but both shots ended up wide past the post.
The game finished Schalke 2-1 Wolfsburg. Schalke’s great start to the Rückrunde continued, on the other hand Wolfsburg suffered their 2nd loss in the Rückrunde.
This game was the tale of the goalkeepers. Outstanding performances from both Fahrmann and Benaglio. Fahrmann kept the lead for Schalke in the first half and Benaglio stopped the wrath of Schalke’s attacking in the second half, keeping the score to the minimum.
This win boost’s Schalke’s chance of Champions League football next season. The result moved Die Königsblauen into 4th, a point ahead of Borussia Mönchengladbach. This loss leaves Wolfsburg in 6th level on points with 7th place Mainz and three points behind 5th place Borussia Mönchengladbach.