Kiyotake, Drmic and co. were relegated from the German Bundesliga this afternoon after they were effectively thumped 4-1 by Schalke in the Veltins Arena. The 'Royal Blues' only needed a point to secure automatic qualification for Europe's elite competition next year, but ended the season very strongly indeed with a controlled and dominant performance against Roger Prinzen's men; sending their opponents tumbling from the top tier of German football.
Schalke got going quickly and took the lead on six minutes. Joel Matip headed home from close range off a Max Meyer cross, the midfielder on the back of a good week for him personally after being selected by Joachim Löw for Germany's provisional thirty man World Cup squad.
Ghanaian playmaker Kevin Prince Boateng, Roman Neustadter and Matip again had chances to double their advantage before the break but failed to convert. Martin Angha had opportunities for the away side, one effort striking the post from range; Mike Frantz with a half chance too which amounted to little.
Just before the break, Leon Goretzka had an attempt blocked by the Nurnberg defence and Adam Szalai's header was saved. But on the stroke of half time, Schalke dealt Nurnberg a real kick in the teeth. For all their efforts offensively and defensively, they found themselves 2-0 down at half time. Neustadter found the bottom corner to give Schalke a two goal cushion.
The second half was a frustrating one for the away side. Nurnberg gave away many fouls and both sides failed to find the net with a host of opportunities. The best opportunity fell to Max Meyer, with his effort ricocheting off the woodwork. However, with seventy-five minutes on the clock, wonderkid Julian Draxler sealed each side's fate. Draxler added a third for Schalke from distance, to secure the three points and kill off Nürnberg's survival hopes.
Boateng, Draxler and Obasi all had opportunites in quick succession to make it 4-0 after the third goal, but each failed to beat the goalkeeper. Josip Drmic, who is likely to move on this summer, pulled one back in injury time to give Nürnberg a glimmer of hope. Yet it was short lived as Obasi replied quickly to restore their three goal advantage and condemn Nurnberg to the 2. Bundesliga.
