Jahn Regensburg claimed a crucial and thoroughly deserved victory, taking a significant step in their fight against relegation. The hosts went into the break with a well-earned lead, built on a bold, determined first-half display that outmatched a lacklustre Schalke side, and then made sure of the point with a late second. Regensburg are now within six points of the relegation play-off spotted fans can once again allow themselves a flicker of hope in the battle to stay up.

Schalke have a bit more time.

Hamache crosses and the lurking Ba takes a first-time shot from the edge of the box - bit flies wide.

Time is running out for Schalke and, apart from two very good chances from set pieces, not much has come of their offensive efforts. Regensburg could move within six points of the relegation play-off spot with a win. That is, if the concurrently played match in Münster remains at 1-1.

Some more strong defending from from Wurm. Ba penetrates into the penalty area, but in the one-on-one situation, the Regensburg defender produces a clean tackle and comes out on top.

The visitors establish themselves in the attacking third. But continued sloppiness allows Regensburg to shut the situation down. Younes and Barkos are repeatedly failing in their attempts to play quickly and directly forward.

There are a lot of midfield duels at the beginning of this second half. Regensburg definitely don't want to be pushed back into their own half.

Schalke return from the dressing room without any substitutions, somewhat surprisingly. Will we see a different approach from the visitors?

After one minute of stoppage time, the players head to the dressing rooms. Regensburg go into the break with a deserved lead, having earned their advantage through a courageous performance and superior determination. Schalke cannot cope with the home side's style of play at all and have proven far too harmless, offering little quality so far.

Typical: Younes squanders the ball on the right byline, so Jahn have no trouble clearing the situation.

So far, the visitors are putting in a really poor performance. Regensburg are frustrating Schalke, applying a lot of pressure on the ball and finding a lot of success. The hosts have thus far taken the wind out of the visitors' sails.

The opening minutes are over. Regensburg are pressing Schalke well, but so far the visitors have been able to create danger when they move quickly down the right side. The hosts, on the other hand, also prefer the right, finding space repeatedly around Aydin and Bulut. However, both teams are lacking precision with the final pass.

The hosts are moving the ball much better so far; Schakle are still making a lot of passing errors in their build-up play.

Schalke are playing with a back four with Karaman in the centre. The captain dribbles near the halfway line, but can't find a teammate.

Regensburg get the match under way.

Based on the selected personnel, a 3-4-3 formation would also be possible for the visitors. Aydin and Donkor could occupy the wings in front of Bulut, Schallenberg and Kaminski, while further forward Karaman would operate in the inside-right position rather than as a number ten, with Younes in the inside-left position behind striker Sylla. The first few minutes will reveal the setup.

A fresh face is set to feature in defence for the home side today. Just 17, Ben Kieffer is starting his first Bundesliga 2 match today. Last year, he made his debut as a 16-year-old, coming off the bench on Matchday 17 to become the youngest player to feature in the entire season.

For the visitors, Bulut returns to the starting line-up after missing the last four matches due to injury. Aydin also returns. The duo are replacing Kalas (bench) and Gantenbein (suspended after yellow-red card).

For the home side, coach Patz has opted for plenty of rotation. After the 6-0 defeat in Elversberg, he makes six changes, the most in over three years (November 2021). Kieffer, Ballas, Ganaus, Viet, Kühlwetter and Hein all come into the starting line-up.

Heekeren – Bulut, Kaminski, Schallenberg, Donkor – Seguin, Barkok – Aydin, Karaman, Younes – Sylla

Pollersbeck - Kieffer, Ziegele, Hein - Wurm, Ballas, Handwerker - Viet, Kühlwetter - Ganaus, Adamyan

"The defeat at Schalke in the reverse fixture was in no way acceptable, with the manner in which we performed there. We analysed it very clearly and carried that into the training week. You could tell that the lads don't want to leave it like that."

"It's the first opportunity to reach the 40-point mark. That's why we're travelling to Regensburg. They have a good home record, having secured two wins and two draws from their last four home matches. We know what to expect."

Paul Seguin has played against Regensburg seven times in the Bundesliga 2 and has won all seven matches (one each with Schalke and Dresden, five with Fürth).

Schalke visited Regensburg in the DFB Cup way back in August 1954. The match ended 1-1 and a replay in Gelsenkirchen was required to settle the tie. Schalke won that 6-4 after trailing 3-4 at one stage.

In the first clash between these clubs this season, Schalke celebrated their first victory under Kees van Wonderen (at the fifth attempt), with goals from Moussa Sylla and Kenan Karaman, who has scored in each of his three second-division matches against Regensburg.

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 29 fixture between SSV Jahn Regensburg and FC Schalke 04.