Matchday 2: Schalke 0-2 Bayern - As it happened
The Bundesliga is back with a bang after the international break, with FC Schalke 04 and FC Bayern München kicking off what promises to be an action-packed weekend of football on Friday evening.
Follow Bayern’s match away to Schalke live on Bundesliga Audio!
Have you got your Official Fantasy Bundesliga line-up sorted yet? Click here to do so...
All times CEST
23:15 - That's a wrap
That concludes our rolling coverage for today. Don't forget to join us tomorrow for more build-up and all the action from across the Bundesliga.
23:02 - Reaction
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Full time! Schalke 0-2 Bayern
The home team deserve huge credit for their performance today and managed to keep Bayern at arm's length for most of the match. However, Carlo Ancelotti's men's class told through in the end and they return to Munich with all three points.
90+1' – Schalke 0-2 Bayern
Arturo Vidal robs Leon Goretzka of the ball deep in Bayern's half and instigates a swift counter-attack. Costa finds Lewandowski again, and the Pole advances and bides his time before flicking a perfectly timed pass into the path of Joshua Kimmich, who drills the ball low into the net from the right. It is the 21-year-old's first ever Bundesliga goal.
89' – Schalke 0-1 Bayern
Fantastic play on the edge of the box from Douglas Costa, who threads a fine pass through to Lewandowski but this time the striker's effort trickles wide of the post.
81' - Schalke 0-1 Bayern
Bayern's pressure finally takes its toll as Lewandowski finds space in between centre-backs Naldo and Benedikt Höwedes and is played through on goal thanks to a fine pass by Javi Martinez. The Polish striker made no mistake against Ralf Fährmann and lashed the ball into the net.
74' - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
A wonderful chance for Bayern, as David Alaba whips in a cross to the back post from the left, but it bounces awkwardly for Robert Lewandowski, who can't poke it home with his midriff.
66' - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
The visitors are starting to pile on the pressure now and have been camped outside the Schalke penalty area for the last few minutes. Schalke are occasionally looking dangerous on the break, however, especially through Goretzka, who has been excellent.
56' - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
So close! Klass-Jan Huntelaar has a go from 25 yards out and his rasping effort looked to be heading into the net, but Manuel Neuer managed to tip it onto the crossbar.
Half time! Schalke 0-0 Bayern
The hosts will arguably be the happier of the two at the midway point of the match, with their aggressive, hard-running approach causing the reigning Bundesliga champions several problems. Neither side has gone close to scoring yet, though.
38' - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
Superb play from Abdul Rahman Baba down Schalke's left, and he frees up Evgen Konopyanka, who dashes into the box but can't quite pull the ball back for a team-mate, and Bayern are able to clear.
27' – Schalke 0-0 Bayern
Not often you see this: referee Manuel Gräfe has gone over to the Schalke bench to ask to receive treatment after seemingly injuring his calf. He returns to the pitch and
18' - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
Bayern started strongly and immediately went on the front foot, but Schalke have been growing in confidence over the last few minutes. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Naldo and Leon Goretzka have all made promising runs forward and have the wind in their sails at the moment.
Kick-off! - Schalke 0-0 Bayern
The game is underway, with Bayern playing in an all red strip and the hosts in their traditional blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks.
20:00 - A long time coming
Matija Nastasic makes his first appearances for Schalke in almost 13 months. The center-back's last appearance came on Matchday 1 of last season in a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen in which he suffered a torn achilles tendon 17 minutes into the match.
19:32 - FC Bayern München team news
Renato Sanches will take to the field for the first time as a Bayern player. Arturo Vidal, who only arrived back from international duty on Thursday, drops to the bench in the only change to the side that beat Werder Bremen 6-0 on Matchday 1.
19:31 - FC Schalke 04 team news
Schalke head coach Markus Weinzierl has made six changes to the team that lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening weekend. Benjamin Stambouli and Yevhen Konoplyanka are handed their debuts, while Nabil Bentaleb and Abdul Rahman Baba make their first Bundesliga starts for the Royal Blues. Elsewhere, Matija Nastastic makes his first appearance since Matchday 1 of the previous campaign.
18:37 - Gearing up for a showdown
The anticipation levels continue to rise ahead Matchday 2's curtain-raiser. Bayern are en route and Schalke can't wait for their first home game of the 2016/17 campaign.
17:55 - Some Scout help
Still agonising over your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team? The Scout has got some tips for you, and he thinks Bayern's Joshua Kimmich could prove a shrewd investment...
17:45 - We're ready!
The VELTINS Arena is looking quite a sight ahead of tonight's action.
17:26 - The all-new Match Centre experience!
One of the array of exciting new bundesliga.com features for 2016/17 (including the Official Fantasy Bundesliga) is the Match Centre for every single top-flight game. It hosts all manner of content before, during and after any given Bundesliga fixture: simply click here to go to the Match Centre for Schalke's meeting with Bayern and have a look around yourself.
17:04 - Friends reunited
Manuel Neuer will be back at Schalke tonight, the club where he spent 20 years from 1991 until leaving for FC Bayern in 2011. Born in Gelsenkirchen, the Germany captain has posted a picture with Schalke skipper Benedikt Höwedes on Facebook (below) with the caption: "You're always happy to see friends."
16:47 - #FridayFeeling
It's Friday: what else would you do but settle down and watch the Bundesliga? Click here to find your local Bundesliga broadcaster.
16:25 - Konoplyanka's debut?
While Renato Sanches' potential debut will steal the headlines, Schalke could hand a maiden Bundesliga appearance to Ukraine winger Yevhen Konoplyanka this evening, a recent loan arrival from Sevilla FC. bundesliga.com profiled the three-time Ukrainian player of the year recently: click here to read more.
16:18 - Two weeks ago today...
...Bayern opened the season in style by beating Werder Bremen 6-0. Click on the video below for highlights of that one...
16:05 - Munich to Gelsenkirchen
Franck Ribery - who scored in Bayern's 6-0 victory against SV Werder Bremen on the opening night - has scored five goals and picked up six assists in 14 games against Schalke down the years.
16:00 - Bayern's defensive duo?
Click here to make some last-minute changes to your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team!
15:53 - Timing is everything
Well, you certainly have no excuse for missing the action tonight now...
15:48 - Packed to the rafters
The atmosphere will be sizzling tonight in Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke have won 13 of the last 15 home games on a Friday night (two draws). How about that for a stat?
15:41 - A Bundesliga cathedral
Want an exclusive look around tonight's venue, the VELTINS Arena? Just click on the video below...
15:25 - Sanches in line for a debut?
Could Bayern's summer acquisition from SL Benfica make his Bundesliga debut tonight? That's one of five things to look out for this weekend...
14:55 - Schalke's new midfield duo
They certainly seem excited about playing in the VELTINS Arena...
14:15 - Bayern stars in the zone
The champions are certainly seem in the mood for tonight's encounter if their Twitter profiles are anything to go by...
13:00 - Ancelotti wary of weary Vidal
According to Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti, Franck Ribery, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski will all play against Schalke tonight. The Italian tactician is less certain about midfielder Arturo Vidal - who scored for Bayern in a 3-0 win against Schalke last April (click here for highlights from that one) - however. "I don’t know if he is tired or if he can play," Ancelotti said of Vidal, who endured a long trip back to Bavaria after playing for Chile early on Wednesday morning, German time.
No Vidal? No problem, says our Official Fantasy Bundesliga scout
11:45 - The countdown continues
Here's one we prepared yesterday and it's certain to raise those goosebumps as we tick ever closer toward tonight's Bundesliga return.
11:00 - Fearless Bentaleb primed for Bayern
FC Schalke 04's squad received an injection of infectious optimism with the return of the club's international contingent this week. Algeria's Nabil Bentaleb was one of those who performed admirably for his country during the international break, the midfielder telling Schalke's official website he is now fully focused on tonight's mouthwatering challenge against Bayern. "We will not hide," the 21-year-old said. "I know of course about the huge quality Bayern have …… I played tough matches in my time in England (with Tottenham Hotspur FC) and I have no fear," Bentaleb added.
Click here to read more from Schalke's new midfield metronome
09.15 - Back to where it all began
Matchday 2's opening fixture will conjure up fond memories for Spanish string-puller Xabi Alonso. The Bayern midfielder made his Bundesliga debut at the VELTINS Arena back in August 2014, and has served as the fulcrum of the side ever since.
Thursday highlights
09:00 - It's Matchday!
Good morning and welcome back to the Bundesliga. After and international break and two weeks away, Germany's most exciting export swings back into action on Friday night with a mouthwatering clash between two clubs with new coaches at the helm. Markus Weinzierl couldn't have asked for a tougher proposition for his first home game in charge of Schalke and Bayern's Carlo Ancelotti will get his first taste of Schalke's famously passionate support at a packed VELTINS Arena, one of European football's most atmospheric stadia.
Head to the Schalke v Bayern Match Centre here for news and features.
17:05 – Bayern busy
The reigning Bundesliga champions are gearing up for a hectic period, as the match against Schalke is the first of seven fixtures in three weeks.
Thursday highlights
16:05 – Schalke raring to go
"We are looking forward to the game and want to play the best we possibly can," said Markus Weinzierl in his pre-match press conference. "Bayern at the moment are the biggest test possible and showed virtually no weaknesses in the Super Cup against Borussia Dortmund and the 6-0 win over Werder Bremen. Still, our aim is to get on the scoresheet. We have a plan in place and are ready to put up a real fight."
13:55 – Carlo Ancelotti determined
"We don't want to change our philosophy, even though Schalke have a lot of quality," said the Italian strategist at his pre-match press conference. "A very important phase starts tomorrow, we’re ready for the period, it's a very important one. It'll be important to start with a win."
Click here for the full preview of Bayern's trip to Schalke
13:50 – Renato Sanches fit
The European Championship-winning teenager is poised to make his debut for Bayern on Friday against FC Schalke 04.
Is Sanches in your Official Fantasy Bundesliga side? Step this way to sign him