Frankfurt welcomed Schalke to the Commerzbank arena knowing three points were vital if they wanted a European place come May.
Roberto Di Matteo's side were full of confidence and with a win they could move up in to the Champions League postions. The Royal Blues knew all to well how important three points could be.
The game would have an extra special meaning for Eintracht coach Thomas Schaff who was in charge of his 5ooth top flight Bundesliga game a remarkable achievement for the ex-Bremen coach. After two confidence boosting draws against Augsburg and Wolfsburg, Frankfurt had every chance to go and take three points from their visitors.
Schalke have been in a rich vain of form being unbeaten since the restart of the campaign with wins against Hannover and Monchengladbach, also in the middle of that a 1-1 draw with league leaders Bayern Munich. Marco Hoger midweek praised his teams fitness and with the likes of Seferovic and Aigner upfront the threat from the hosts was all to known.
It was Schalke who had the early advantage, dominating possesion against the forward thinking Eintracht team. Meier and Seferovic upfront had their task cut out against a five man defence who were in Brilliant form. The first real chance of the game came for the Gelsenkirchen side, Uchida moved forward with the ball and looked up for Boateng but his final ball was poor and was easily dealt with by Trapp.
Another brilliant chance fell to Matip from a Fuchs cross but the Cameroon international's header shaved the top of the bar. It was all Schalke the opening stages. The hosts first real chance came after an Aigner cross found the head of Meier but his attempt went wide of the post.
Aigner was Frankfurt's only threatening player to Schalke's defence and some nice close touches found himself with a chance to open the scoring but his shot dragged wide of young Wellenreuther's goal.
Eric Choupo-Moting battled with Madlung in the flanks and succesfully got the ball but to the annoyance of the travelling fans couldnt find his strike partner Kevin-prince Boateng in the box.
As the first half drew to a close both teams were all out attack. Schalke's counter attack was posing real threats for Frankfurt's defence and up the other end Meier and Seferovic were off the pace. If it had not have been for the oustanding display by Kevin Trapp in the home goal both Boateng and Choupo-Moting would have all but certainly got on the scoresheet.
Thomas Schaaf made an expected substitution for the restart of the game Kittel was replaced by the exciting young prospect of Lucas Piazon who many felt should have started, Seferovic had the first real chance of the half but his shot from 25 yards went miles wide.
Piazon made an instant impact after coming on after some nice play with Oczipka, getting a corner and giving hope to the home fans, the resulting corner was eaisly dealt with by the Schalke defence. Hasebe ran through clearing the Schalke midfield, the Japanese international was brought down by Benedikt Howedes, a stonewall penalty it seemed and to Thomas Schaaf's dismay the referee disagreed. The World Cup winner getting of lucky.
As the game moved in to the last thirty minutes Schalke's dominance was starting to ware off. Frankfurt were growing in confidence and on the 65th minute broke the deadlock, Lucas Piazon scoring to the delight of his boss who had put him on just for that reason.
Robert Di Matteo instantly responded by putting on talented German youngster Max Meyer on, instantly he moved his side up the park and put more pressur on the inform Kevin Trapp.
Swiss striker Haris Seferovic was now looking more lively and began to create chances for him and his strike partner Alex Meier. Aigner again was the one to create the attacks but his through ball was dealt with by Joel Matip.
A surprising change was made by Di Matteo with ten minutes to go, Boateng off, Platte on. Needing a goal to have any chance of taking anything the Italian must have had lots of faith in the 19 year old to produce something special.
Schalke went all out to get a leveller bringing on Sidney Sam for Christian Fuchs gave a clear signal of their intentions. A breakaway on the counter attack almsot saw Frankfurt double their lead, Seferovic beating Uchida before going one on one with Wellenreuther who came out on top.
As the final minutes played out Trapp in the homegoals wasnt threatened atol and it was an easy ending to a hard fought win. Frankfurt almost doubled their lead but veteran Meier didnt take his chance of an open goal.
The final whistle blew and it was clear to see the contrast of emotions from both bosses, Schaaf winning in his 500th bundesliga game the happier of the two and his opponent the Italian Di Matteo who had hoped to see his team move in to the automatic Champions League position.