Highlights

Full-time
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Full-time: Frankfurt 3-0 Schalke

Frankfurt begin 2023 with a comfortable win. The Eagles climb to second as a result, five points behind leaders Bayern Munich, whom they face on Matchday 18. Schalke stay bottom, six adrift of safety.
90'
+ 2

Buta gets in on the act!

Frankfurt score again to give them a rather flattering 3-0 scoreline. Borre gets his pass spot on, on this occasion, and Buta slams home from the edge of the six-yard box. Clinical.
90'
+ 1
Aurélio Buta
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
23 %
90'

Added time

Not quite World Cup-level, but SIX minutes it is...
90'

Chance!

Frankfurt chase a third, but Borre overcooks his cross. Schalke are spent.
90'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
87'

Two attempts on target, two Frankfurt goals

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
2
1.01
1.49
2
Goals
87'

Goal attempts
8off target
2on target
11off target
2on target
85'

Goodnight, Schalke!

Frankfurt get the all-important second goal. Lindstrom is the architect with a cute outside-of-the-boot pass into the feet of Borre. He stands up his man, before curling low into the far corner from just inside the area.
84'
Rafael Borré
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
20 %
82'

Fresh legs

Added industry in the Frankfurt engine room as Rode replaces Kamada for the closing stages. Royal Antwerp loanee Michael Frey - another striker - is on for the visitors, meanwhile
80'

Chance!

Buta gets to the byline and pulls back a cross towards the near post. Borre is lying in wait, but Matriciani blocks it behind. Kamada's thunderbolt from the ensuing cross is also blocked.
76'

'A' for effort, not for execution

Lindstrom's fabulous goal aside, of course!
Goal attempts
7off target
1on target
11off target
2on target
74'

Schalke change

Kozuki - his team's best player - makes way for Karaman. Based on his debut performance, the Japanese attacker is going to be a real asset in the Royal Blues' battle against the drop.
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Close, but no cigar

Schalke are desperately unlucky to be behind in this one. Can they find an equaliser?
70'

Enforced change

Ebimbe can't continue. The PSG loanee hobbles off, with Aurelio Buta his replacement. Glasner also replaces Kolo Muani - the first Bundesliga player to reach 10 assists this season - with Rafael Borre.
66'

Man down!

Two-time Bundesliga Rookie of the Month Ebimbe stays down after a challenge with Uronen. The Frankfurt man appeared to overstretch as he contested the ball. The physios are on...
63'

End product lacking

Goal attempts
7off target
1on target
11off target
2on target
61'

Frankfurt change

Lenz replaces Dortmund loanee Knauff - who's been quiet today - on the Frankfurt left.
58'

Booking

Bülter knows exactly what's he's doing as he pulls back Muani in the Frankfurt half. The break was on.
53'

Over!

Encouraging signs from Schalke as Bülter swings over a cross for Terodde, who heads over.
52'

Chance!

Lindstrom works some magic, before clipping over a cross. Ebimbe goes up to meet it, but heads over.
51'

Schalke unlucky to be behind

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
1
0.61
1.01
1
Goals
47'

Kozuki!

It's that man again, this time powering a header from a left-wing free-kick goalwards. Unfortunately for him, Frankfurt goalkeeper Trapp gets in the way. Great save!
46'

Away we go!

Can rock-bottom Schalke turn things around? Bochum are 2-0 up against Hertha Berlin, so they could seriously use a positive result!
Kick-off!
45'
+ 3

Half-time: Frankfurt 1-0 Schalke

Schalke survive a couple of late corners, but still trail to that lovely Jesper Lindstrom goal. With Freiburg 3-0 down in Wolfsburg, Frankfurt are up to second in the live table.
Half-time
45'

Added time

Into the first of two additional minutes in Frankfurt. The Eagles are very much in charge...
42'

Ebimbe!

The Frankfurt players are queueing up in and around the Schalke area. The ball eventually breaks to Ebimbe, who hoofs off target from 18 yards.
36'

Lindstrom!

The Frankfurt goalscorer has the beating of Matriciani again. It's a very similar position from where he broke the deadlock, but this time his attempt sails over.
33'

Off the post!

Kozuki gets in behind the Frankfurt defence, before driving an effort against the outside of Trapp's near post. The Japanese winger looks like a very handy addition.
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Lind-strong

That's seven Bundesliga goals so far this term for Lindstrom. The Dane struck five times across the entire 2021/22 campaign!
30'

Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes

information
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
27'

Right idea

Bülter asks the question with a teasing ball into the box from the right. Terodde's at full stretch, but can't make contact.
22'

Frankfurt lead!

There's the chance, and we have our first goal. Kolo Muani threads a pass into the feet of Lindstrom. He goes this way and that in the box, bamboozling Matriciani along the way, before firing high into the Schalke goal. It had been coming...
Goal probability
information
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
25 %
19'

No clear-cut chances - yet...

information
xGoals
The xGoals value of a club is calculated from the sum of all goal probabilities (goals and shots on goal) of that team. During a match, it’s easy to see whether the club is performing better than expected (goals > xGoals) - or maybe even higher (xGoals > goals).
xGoals
0
0.2
0.15
0
Goals
18'

Denied!

Kamada races into the Schalke box, but can't direct his strike past Schwolow. He was offside, in any case. Warning signs for the Royal Blues...
16'

Wide from Muani!

Frankfurt move the ball with pace and precision as Götze feeds Muani on the edge of the Schalke area. The Frenchman has the unmarked Ebimbe to his right, but doesn't see him and blazes off target. An apologetic hand goes up.
14'

Kozuki? More like Susuki!

Schalke's new signing puts on the afterburners down the right-hand side. He has time to pick a cross, which Trapp does well to gather ahead of Latza in the six-yard box.
11'

Schalke on top - just!

Possession (%)
4456
6'

Muani!

Frankfurt's danger man collects possession just outside the Schalke area. For a moment, it looks like he's going to go through on goal, but a drop in pace allows the visiting defenders to swarm. When he does get a shot off, it's deflected wide.
4'

Lively

Bright start from Schalke. They're showing great hustle in the opening exchanges, and have already won a couple of free-kicks.
1'

Kick-off!

After 10 weeks off, we are back under way in Frankfurt!
Kick-off!

Minute's reflection

There's a minute's silence before all games in the Bundesliga this weekend, in memory of Brazil great Pele, who passed away on 29 December 2022.

In the house

The teams have arrived in Frankfurt, and the atmosphere inside the stadium is building.
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6:20
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Watch: All Kolo Muani's Bundesliga goals and assists

Kolo Muani has weighed in with 14 direct goal involvements so far this season, scoring five and assisting a league-leading nine. Will the France international, a 2022 World Cup runner-up, continue his rich vein of form into the new year?

Glasner's view

"We’re in for a tricky game," warned Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner at his pre-match press conference. "We’re not interested in where they are in the table because we only look at ourselves. We have to find our rhythm and bring our game plan, energy and spirit onto the pitch. We’ve prepared specifically for Schalke and know how they play. They’re a very physical team who attack with pace. They’ll put us under pressure and draw us into challenges."

Schalke team news

Schalke are without Sebastian Polter, Sepp van den Berg, Rodrigo Zalazar and Alex Kral. Maya Yoshida has been declared fit and features. New arrivals Jere Uronen and Soichiro Kozuki are also in from the get-go.
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Frankfurt team news

French sensation Randal Kolo Muani leads the Eintracht attack with fellow World Cup representatives Daichi Kamada, Mario Götze and Jesper Lindstrom in support. Elsewhere, Hrvoje Smolcic is in for the injured Tuta.

Schalke starting line-up

Schwolow - Brunner, Yoshida, Matriciani, Uronen - Latza (c), Krauß - Kozuki, Larsson, Bülter - Terodde

Schalke subs

Fährmann, Greiml, Karaman, Aydin, Frey, Mohr, Ivan, Müller, Topp

Eintracht starting line-up

Trapp (c) - Jakic, Smolcic, N'Dicka - Dina Ebimbe, Kamada, Sow, Knauff - Lindstrom, Götze - Kolo Muani

Eintracht subs

Ramaj, Rode, Toure, Borre, Hasebe, Alario, Chandler, Bute, Lenz
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Eagles flying

How many teams would envy Eintracht's 'predicament' right now? The Eagles are getting set for lift with the games due to come thick and fast. Allow captain Sebastian Rode to explain: "We’re kicking off with an unbelievable week: Schalke, Freiburg and Bayern. We’ve got Darmstadt in the cup, Napoli in the Champions League. We’re in a good position in the Bundesliga and are still in all three competitions overall.”

Fan power

Fresh from appearing at the FIFA World Cup with Japan, Schalke's Maya Yoshida spoke to his club's website about the importance of the Royal Blues' supporters in terms of giving the Gelsenkirchen side a much needed lift. "Our fans are simply incredible," the defender said. "We’re really thankful for their amazing support, both in home and away games – you don’t get this at many clubs. We’re never alone, regardless of where we play, and that gives us strength."

Glasner wary

"Schalke are a very physical team who attack with pace," said Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner on Friday. "Thomas Reis always put us under a lot of pressure when he was at Bochum and drew us into a lot of challenges. I don't expect a deep-lying opponent. It’ll be a difficult game."
2:03
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Watch: Previous meeting: Schalke 4-3 Frankfurt

The last time these teams locked horns was on 15 May 2021 - and what a cracker it was. Schalke took the lead, only for Frankfurt to fight back and edge 2-1 ahead. The Royal Blues then stunned them with three goals in 11 minutes early in the second half to forge ahead and ultimately take all three points. Schalke still finished bottom of the table and were relegated at the end of that season, however.

Reis not mincing his words

"I'm expecting the team to scrap hard and show that we're a side fighting for survival," said Schalke head coach Thomas Reis at his pre-match press conference. "We want to stay in the division and secure safety without needing the relegation play-off. That's our aim."
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Aaronson absent

Any Frankfurt fans hoping for a glimpse of exciting new arrival Paxten Aaronson will have to wait a little while longer. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder, who joined the Eagles from Philadelphia Union earlier this month, has been called up to the senior USA squad for the first time ever and will participate at their January camp in Los Angeles.

Even Stevens

Fixtures between these teams have been remarkably balanced over the years: both have won 35 of the 94 meetings to date (24 draws), with Eintracht scoring 140 times to Schalke's 137. However, those numbers change dramatically in Frankfurt, where the Eagles have won 57 percent (27 out of 47 games) of their matches against the Royal Blues, including each of their last three. You have to go all the way back to March 2010 for Schalke's last success at Deutsche Bank Park.
0:30
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Watch: Get ready for Frankfurt vs. Schalke!

0:30
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Watch: The Bundesliga is back!

Hello and welcome!

It's been a long old wait, hasn't it? Matchday 15 took place on 12/13 November last year, so it's been over two months without any Bundesliga action. This one promises to be a cracker to get us back in the mood. Frankfurt were flying before the hiatus for the World Cup, where star striker Randal Kolo Muani enhanced his reputation with runners-up France. Can they pick up where they left off against a Schalke side with a new man at the helm?