Goodbye
Thank you all for staying with me and following along. A great victory for Düsseldorf against Schalke. Goodnight everyone and stay safe!
The next round of Bundesliga games start on Friday!!!!
JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/XLXf7rVhAH
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
Düsseldorf (16th) extend the gap between them and Bremen (17th) to 5 points but Bremen have a game in hand. Düsseldorf close the gap on Mainz who are not in a relegation spot. A vital three points for Düsseldorf
Schalke pump the ball into the box but the ball is over hit and the Düsseldorf keeper catches the ball and falls to the floor. That is Schalke's fourth defeat in five.
Full Time
Düsseldorf 2 -1 Schalke
95'
Last chance here for Schalke
93'
The free kick is easily gathered by the Düsseldorf keeper and the Schalke keeper has to sprint back to his net after being up for the free kick. The ball is sent long and the Schalke keeper misses the ball and the shot is cleared off the line by Kenny.
93'
A fantastic run forward by Schöpf results in a free kick and a yellow card for Düsseldorf
91'
The ball was eventually cleared by Düsseldorf. Schalke launch the ball up the field but concede a free kick.
91'
Schalke have a free kick just inside the Düsseldorf half and will pump the ball into the box
5 Minutes added time
5 Minutes added time
88'
Schalke are becoming frustrated as they cannot keep the ball when they push forward. Düsseldorf are taking their time whenever they can.
86'
A good counter attack by Düsseldorf which leads to a low driven shot by Thommy, but it is comfortably saved by Schubert.
The play has now resumed
84| Substitution Schalke
Off: Matondo
On: Todibo
83'
The ball has been put out of play due to Düsseldorf player down with cramp.
80| Substitution Düsseldorf
On: Morales
Off: Hennings
On: Skrzybski
Off: Berisha
The corner is cleared.
79'
Oczipka takes the corner and it is headed only to the edge of the box and the following shot is a good one but the Düsseldorf defender gets an important touch and it goes out for another corner.
78'
Schalke are attempting to push forward more, they are attacking with more numbers and this results in them winning a corner.
Back post ➡️ back of the net 📸#F95S04 2-1 pic.twitter.com/qeKqh8vHBP
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) May 27, 2020
76'
The Düsseldorf keeper comes out and punches the ball away. Schalke win possession back and put in a deep cross to the back post but the header goes wide.
75'
A free kick for Schalke in a good crossing area.
73| Substitution Schalke
On: Kutucu
Off: Caligiuri
On: Gregoritsch
Off: Burgstaller
71'
Scrappy play from both teams since the goal. Neither side has taken control.
Poor defending from set-pieces shown again by Schalke. However, the question is, can Düsseldorf hang onto this lead. They led 2-0 in the final ten minutes at the weekend but ended up drawing.
⏰ 68. | 2:1
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
DOPPELSCHLAG! Wahnsinn!#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/XOj0xDMEFc
69| Substitution Düsseldorf
Off: Suttner
On: Giesselmann
68| GOALLLLLLL Düsseldorf
Another short corner by Düsseldorf which was crossed to the back post and it was played back across the box and Karaman is at the back post all by himself for a very easy header!!!!
66'
Another corner for Düsseldorf after a long ball is headed behind by Nastasić
The free kick leading to the goal was struck with great power but the Schalke keeper palms to ball up into the air and Hennings reacts the quickest to the poor keeping and out jumps the defender in the six-yard box to make it 1-1.
⏰ 63. | 1:1
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
TOR ZÄHLT! Rouwen bringt uns zurück!#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/LkkZvWjdRp
GOAL STANDS
1-1
VAR
VAR is checking the goal for a possible foul by Hennings
62| GOAALLLLL Düsseldorf
An excellent strike from the free kick leads to the keeper palming the ball up in the air and Hennings heads the ball into the back of the net!!!
61'
A corner for Düsseldorf is cleared but Schalke concede a free kick in a good area for Düsseldorf.
58'
A bit better from Schalke. Kenny with a good run into spaces, fires a low cross but it is just cleared. The pressure is just slightly lifting from Düsseldorf who have not started well in the second half.
56'
Düsseldorf with two balls into the box but the first is blocked and the second was a decent ball but the Düsseldorf player was unable to muscle his way to the ball.
Largely against the run of play with Düsseldorf having all of the possession. But poor marking by Düsseldorf leads to Schalke taking the lead!
WESTON!!!!!!! 😍
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 27, 2020
A powerful header to give us the lead 💥
⏱️ 53' | #F95S04 0-1 | #S04 pic.twitter.com/iUUGrUUahm
52| GOALLL Schalke
Finally we have a goal!! It comes from the free kick given away by Sobottka. The first good set-pieces finds the head of McKennie who loses his marker and heads the ball into the back of the net!!
51| Yellow Card - Sobottka
He is show a yellow card for stopping the attack
50'
Stöger attempts a volley on the edge of the box but scuffs his effort and the ball goes wide.
45| Huge Chance Missed
Quick build up play by Schalke leads to Burgstaller picking the ball up in the box who lays it off to right-back Kenny, but he slices the ball wide. Should have at least been hitting the target from there. Good start by Schalke.
Second Half
We are back underway in Düsseldorf!
Half-Time Stats
Possession
Düsseldorf 76% - 24% Schalke
Shots
Düsseldorf 5 - 2 Schalke
Shots on Target
Düsseldorf 3 - 2 Schalke
Nothing to discuss going into half-time. Düsseldorf are controlling possession but are passing is side-to-side and Schalke are happy to let them do that. Only one good chance and that came to Schalke but it was a chance wasted. Both sides have had many crossing set-pieces but both teams have been poor with the delivery.
All square at the break. ⏸
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 27, 2020
⏱️ HT | #F95S04 0-0 | #S04 pic.twitter.com/U5dMilY8ao
Half-Time
Düsseldorf 0 - 0 Schalke
45'
Suttner shoots from 30 yards out from the free kick but it goes miles over.
44 | Yellow Card - Kabak - Schalke
Kabak is booked for kicking the ball away and Düsseldorf have another free-kick in a decent area.
42'
Düsseldorf once again passing the ball around but both sides seem happy to let it be played in and around the half-way line.
38'
The ball is played in but it is easily cleared. Both sides have been really poor with set-pieces in tonight's game.
37'
Düsseldorf have a free-kick about 35 yards out on the wing. A good opportunity.
36'
The free kick is played in but cleared. Schalke re-gain possession but the following cross is met by the keepers hands.
35'
Oczipka is brought down on the left hand side and Schalke have a good opportunity here.
31'
Another short corner for Düsseldorf is well worked this time and Thommy has a shot from the edge of the box but is well saved by Schubert who only saw the ball at the last second.
27'
A free kick for Schalke just inside Düsseldorf's half. But it is played straight to the keeper. Schalke cannot afford to be wasting chances like those as they are not getting many.
25'
The corner is taken quick and put into the box. The Schalke keeper flaps at the ball but does just enough to clear the ball.
25'
Schalke defender, Kenny, does very well to clear a cross from Karaman, which results in a corner.
22'
Great build-up play by Düsseldorf leads to a shot on the edge of the area but it was not hit with any power and a comfortable save for the Schalke keeper.
That was the first clear chance for either side and the first time Schalke have done something good with the ball.
20| Chance missed
A great opportunity for Schalke. Caligiuri found himself in a great position on the edge of the box but his shot produced a good save by Kastenmier. Great chance for Schalke but it was wasted.
17| Yellow Card - Schalke
Striker Burgstaller is shown a yellow for leading with his arm whilst challenging for the ball in the air.
16'
Düsseldorf have had 78% possession so far today but have not had many touches in the final third.
14'
The ball is cleverly worked down the line and the cross comes in but a Schalke defender heads it out for a throw in.
13'
Düsseldorf have a free-kick just inside the Schalke half and it will be played into the box
12'
The first shot of the game is for Düsseldorf. A slow build up saw a good one-two in the Schalke box but Karaman's shot did not posses any power and it was an easy save for Schubert in the Schalke goal.
9'
Düsseldorf still controlling possession but have not been able to break down the Schalke defence. Everything Schalke touch the ball they lose it or it goes long to the Düsseldorf defence.
6'
The corner was taken short but the cross was a poor one and easily cleared.
5'
No chances for either side but Düsseldorf are controlling possession. Schalke just keep pumping the ball back to the Düsseldorf defence. Corner for Düsseldorf.
3'
A great run down the line by Schalke attacker, Matondo but his cross is cleared by the Düsseldorf defence.
Kick-off
We are underway!
5️⃣ minutes to go... ⌛#F95S04 #SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/znYM5rAwmW
— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (🏡) (@s04_us) May 27, 2020
10 minutes until kick-off
Stayed tuned as we get ever closer to kick-off!
All in blue tonight 🔵#S04 | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/ftQT1Eot24
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 27, 2020
🔥🔥🔥#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/j2NEmxfhT9
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
Previous League Meetings
Schalke 3 - 3 Düsseldorf (Nov 19)
Schalke 0 - 4 Düsseldorf (Mar 19)
Düsseldorf 0 - 2 Schalke (Oct 18)
Schalke 2 - 1 Düsseldorf (Feb 13)
Düsseldorf 2 - 2 Schalke (Sep 12)
Both teams winless
Schalke have not picked up all three points in any of their last 9 games. Whereas, Fortuna have not managed a victory in their last 4 games. Fortuna are near the bottom of the table but are in much better form than their opponents.
Eyes on the Europa League
A Schalke victory tonight would see them close the gap on Wolfsburg, who occupy the final Europa League spot to just two points. Schalke play Wolfsburg on the second to last game of the season. They need to improve their form if they are wanting to qualify for Europe.
Werder Bremen Draw
Werder Bremen drew last night 0-0 with Borussia Mönchengladbach. The draw means that Werder close the gap to Düsseldorf to only two points. Werder occupy the final relegation place, whereas, Düsseldorf sit one place above Werder, in the relegation playoff spot. Düsseldorf must avoid defeat tonight.
Officials for tonight's fixture
Die Schiedsrichter-Ansetzung für unser Heimspiel gegen den @s04.
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
👮 Tobias Welz
🚩 Rafael Foltyn
🚩 Dr. Martin Thomsen
4⃣ Benedikt Kempkes
📺 Sven Jablonski
📼 Christian Gittelmann#f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/Kj9OQTmg3P
Schalke are three games unbeaten in Düsseldorf (W2, D1), and have failed to score on a trip to the Merkur Spiel-Arena only once in 20 meetings.
A great evening for football!
A lovely evening for some ⚽#F95S04 #SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/L4LMFTq8id
— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (🏡) (@s04_us) May 27, 2020
Schalke Confirmed Starting XI
Our XI to face @f95 this evening 📋#S04 | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/QYCkyWZZ2B
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 27, 2020
Fortuna Düsseldorf Confirmed Starting XI
Unsere Startelf für das Heimspiel gegen @s04! #f95 | 🔴⚪️ | #F95S04 pic.twitter.com/pUhBINDnbh
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 27, 2020
There is just under an hour till kick-off so stay tuned. We will give you the team news as soon as it is announced!
Live Coverage Begins
We're ready to bring you live coverages from today's Bundesliga game between Fortuna Düsseldorf and Schalke!
Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us all the details, commentaries, analysis and line-ups for this Bundesliga fixture between Düsseldorf and Schalke.
🙌 MATCHDAY!
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 27, 2020
⚽ @f95 🆚 #S04
🏆 @Bundesliga_EN
📍 MERKUR SPIEL-ARENA
🕤 20:30 CEST
#️⃣ #F95S04#S04 pic.twitter.com/RqoeGMJERC
How to watch Düsseldorf vs Schalke Live TV and Stream
If you want to watch the game on TV, your options are: BT Sports 1
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If you want to watch in on internet, VAVEL UK is your best option!
Schalke Predicted Starting XI
Schubert - Kenny, Sane, Nastasic, Oczipka (c) - Caligiuri, McKennie, Schöpf - Matondo - Gregoritsch, Raman
Düsseldorf Predicted Starting XI
Kastenmeier - Ayhan, Hoffmann, Gießelmann - Zimmermann, Stöger, Morales, Berisha, Suttner - Karaman, Hennings (c)
Schalke Team News
Amine Hart will not feature after he is still recovering from a ligament injury he suffered against Borussia Dortmund. Likewise, Jean-Clair Todibo will miss this game due to an ankle injury he sustained against Dortmund. Suat Serder is a huge doubt after he limped off in the 3-0 defeat against Augsburg at the weekend. Jonjoe Kenny, Weston McKennie, Salif Sane and Daniel Caligiuri will all need to be cautious as they are all one yellow card away from a one-game ban.
ℹ️ Suat Serdar has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
— FC Schalke 04 (🏠) (@s04_en) May 26, 2020
The midfielder suffered a partial ligament tear in his left knee and will be out for several months.
Get well soon, Suat 🙏#S04
Düsseldorf Team News
Turkish defender, Kaan Ayhan will return to the starting line-up following a one game ban, and Mathias Jorgensen will drop to the bench in his place. Goalkeeper, Steffen is looking like he will miss the remainder of the season following chronic knee promblems, whilst striker Dawid Kownacki will also miss the game. Valon Berisha is likely to be recalled in midfield as both managers will look to make changes due to the hectic Bundesliga schedule.
#MondayMotivation 😤😤😤#f95 | 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/KKfCoStfEB
— Fortuna Düsseldorf (@f95) May 25, 2020
Different Fights
Both Düsseldorf and Schalke need to pick up all three points but for different reasons. The home side sit in the relegation playoff place and are three points from safety. However, Werder Bremen, who sit one place below in the automatic relegation place, have a game in hand over Düsseldorf and are only three points behind them. Elsewhere, the race for the final Europa League spot seems to be going nowhere as the four teams who were in that fight all failed to pick up three points over the weekend. It is a must win for both teams on Wednesday night.
Up next: #F95S04 ⚔️#SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/f11ApR1llj
— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (🏡) (@s04_us) May 26, 2020
Struggling for Wins
Both sides are struggling for wins, with Düsseldorf drawing their last four consecutive games and Schalke are on a nine-game winless run. Only bottom side Paderborn have a worse record than Schalke in the last nine games. Düsseldorf were 2-0 up against FC Köln at the weekend until the 87th minute. Then a goal in the 88th and 91st minute, saw Köln draw level and both teams left with a point. It was even worse for Schalke who were dominated on the score-line 3-0 by Augsburg despite dominating possession themselves.
Hennings Hat-trick Hero
The two sides played out an emphatic 3-3 draw, in a game which saw Schalke take the lead three times and Düsseldorf’s striker and captain, Hennings, score the equaliser every time. The game saw five out of six goals in the second half and Hennings completed his hat-trick with a dramatic 85th minute chip on the Schalke keeper. It was the first hat-trick of his Bundesliga career and the first time Düsseldorf had avoided defeat when going behind.
Kick-off Time
Düsseldorf vs Schalke will be played at the Merkur Spiel-Arena, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The kick-off is scheduled at 19:30 GMT.
Welcome
Welcome to VAVEL.com’s LIVE coverage of the 2020 Bundesliga match: Düsseldorf vs Schalke.
My name is Bailey Collington and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, team updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.