Cologne and Schalke settle for 0-0 stalemate at RheinEnergieStadion
Cologne extend unbeaten home run as Schalke defend resolutely
1. FC Köln extended their unbeaten run at home in this season’s Bundesliga after battling to a goalless draw against Schalke at the RheinEnergieStadion.
Cologne went into the match unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga this season, while Schalke travelled with one of the division’s best defensive records, having conceded only seven goals, but with only four goals scored themselves, the fewest struck in the league.
Teams and early pressure
Head coach René Wagner made a single change to his side, with Mikey Moore coming in, while Miron Muslić made three changes for Schalke, bringing in Heechan Hwang, Junior Adamu and Junior Dina Ebimbe.
Schalke started the brighter of the two sides. In the fifth minute, Robin Gosens set up Soufiane El-Faouzi, whose shot from nine yards trickled just wide of the post. The game also featured an early header from centre back Nikola Katić for Schalke and a half chance for Ísak Jóhannesson as Köln looked to use possession.
First half chances come and go
Cologne grew into the game and, in the 17th minute, Saïd El Mala forced a save from Loris Karius, with the follow-up finished by Ísak Jóhannesson into an empty net, but the flag was already up for offside.
Moments later, El Mala’s follow-up effort went narrowly wide after another Karius parry. Köln tried a long ball over the top and youngster Said El Mala had another chance but was unable to properly test Karius as he put the shot over the bar.
In the 43rd minute, Schalke had a large head collision between Robin Gosens and Soufiane El-Faouzi which led to both players being pulled from the game and subbed off. In added time, Tom Krauss pulled Hwang Hee Chan down to prevent a counter and received a yellow card.
The biggest chance of the first half fell to Said El Mala following a counter run for Köln led on by winger Linton Maina who passed it to the youngster who shot it over the bar. The two teams went in level-pegging at the break.
Second half: Karius stands firm
Schalke began the second half with intent when Adamu headed a dangerous cross from Adil Aouchiche towards goal, only for Marvin Schwäbe to make an excellent save.
Cologne continued to press for an opener, with Marius Bülter and substitute Luca Waldschmidt both denied in the 74th minute before Schalke’s Satoshi Tanaka struck the outside of the post from a tight angle in the 79th minute.
Junior Adamu had a chance early in the second half but his shot was stopped by Marvin Schwäbe. In the 51st minute, Said El Mala had another chance for Köln but his effort went past the post. Ten minutes later, Mikey Moore was without the vital final pass as his ball to Said El Mala was cut out by Schalke.
During the 65th minute, Loris Karius made a good save to stop Köln’s Marius Bülter. Köln made a substitute shortly after to bring on Luca Waldschmidt for Mikey Moore. In the 74th minute, Köln had their best chance with a long ball over to Marius Bülter who tried an effort one-on-one with Loris Karius who saved into the feet of Köln’s Luca Waldschmidt who was unable to finish.
The 80th minute brought about a double substitution for Köln who brought in Reigan Heskey and Paul Okon-Engstler for Said El Mala and Tom Krauss. Köln looked for one last throw of the dice and brought on Jan Thielmann and Joel Schmied for Linton Maina and Luka Lochoshvili.
Man of the Match and stats
Loris Karius was named Man of the Match with 68 percent of the vote. The goalkeeper produced a string of key saves, including stopping Jóhannesson and El Mala in the first half, while he also came out to collect crosses and punch clear from corners. His performance helped Schalke leave Cologne with a point despite being outshot and losing the possession battle.
Bundesliga Match Facts: xGoals Cologne 1.27 - Schalke 0.64. Fastest player: Saïd El Mala (Cologne), 34.59 km/h. Pass efficiency: Janik Jay Bachmann (Schalke), +1.62. Fantasy Heroes: Junior Adamu (Schalke, 127 Points), Tom Krauß (Cologne, 112 Points), Luka Lochoshvili (Cologne, 107 Points).
Yellow cards followed for Dina Ebimbe, Luka Lochoshvili, Vitalie Becker and Hasan Kuruçay as the game grew increasingly stretched late on, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. The result gave Köln their first clean sheet of the season.