Highlights

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All over!

It was a nervy last 30 minutes for Schalke, but they pick up a huge victory, their first of 2023, with a 2-1 triumph over Stuttgart. Goals from Drexler and Bülter have put them within three points of safety, while Stuttgart remain in 15th despite Sosa halving the deficit. It's still all to play for at the bottom!
Full-time
90'
+ 5

Holding firm

Schalke are showing fantastic resilience and concentration here as they look to get the job done.
90'
+ 2

Substitution

90'
+ 1

5 minutes left

The board goes up - Stuttgart have five minutes left to get something out of this game.
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.
1.
Marius Bülter
Marius Bülter34.40km/h
2.
Chris Führich
Chris Führich33.30km/h
87'

Within touching distance

Just a few minutes separate Schalke from a huge three points.
82'

Looking for a breakthrough

Stuttgart are still looking for an equaliser, but have not tested Fährmann since that Endo header.
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Sosa on target

The Croatian has now scored a career-best two Bundesliga goals this season. Although Fährmann will think he could have done better, it was still a well-hit strike.
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15 minutes left

So much on the line here for both teams - just under a quarter of an hour remaining.
74'

Evenly-matched

Not much in this in terms of attempts.
Goal attempts
4off target
6on target
6off target
5on target
73'

Triple change

Reis makes three substitutions as he looks to wrestle back some momentum.
71'

Bredlow saves!

A rare foray forward in this half produces a Schalke shot on target as Zalazar forces a save from Bredlow with a free-kick. From the resulting corner, Eder Balanta's header flies just wide of the post.
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Huge improvement

Labbadia will be over-the-moon with how his side have reacted in this second half.
69'

Over!

It's all Stuttgart now as they manage another effort. This time, Mavropanos shoots over the bar. Can they find that equaliser?
66'

So close!

Fährmann makes a huge stop - again from an Endo header - to keep Schalke in front, before Silas pokes the rebound over the bar. Tense times for Schalke!
66'

Substitution

64'

Game on!

Sosa, who has looked lively in this second half, shoots from distance - an effort which the previously solid Fährmann lets slip through his grasp. Just under 30 minutes left for Stuttgart to find an equaliser!
63'

Borna Sosa

GOAL!

2:1
Borna Sosa
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.
2 %
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Big half-hour for Reis

The Schalke boss will be pleased with what he has seen so far, but will he make any changes in an attempt to sure up his side?
60'

Coulibaly curls wide

The substitute takes aim but cannot get find the target.
59'

Huge ask for Stuttgart

'Die Schwaben' have not come from behind to pick up even a point when 2-0 down at half-time since 2014, when they drew 3-3 with Leverkusen. They are giving it a go here though!
51'

Save!

Fährmann is called into action, leaping into the air to palm away Sosa's curling ball. A good beginning to this half for Stuttgart.
51'

Schalke clear

But it's well defended by Schalke, who clear relatively easily.
50'

Stuttgart corner

A chance for Borna Sosa to whip in a dangerous ball...
49'

Schalke more efficient

Stuttgart have enjoyed considerably more possession, but their opponents have used the ball better.
Possession (%)
4456
46'

Double change

Labbadia makes two changes, introducing Dan-Axel Zagadou and Tanguy Coulibaly as he looks to freshen up his XI.
46'

Off we go again!

Stuttgart kick off the second half as they face an uphill task.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2

Substitution

45'
+ 2

Substitution

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Schalke looking good!

Thomas Reis could hardly have asked for a better first half! Goals from Drexler and Bülter have put the hosts in the clear ascendancy, leaving Stuttgart with plenty to do if they want to get anything out of the game after the break.
Half-time
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Superb Zalazar

Schalke missed Zalazar so much when he was missing through injury - Reis' men looked a different proposition with him at his best!
41'

Stunning!

Schalke are turning on the style here! Zalazar, who has been so impressive so far, does well down the left and plays a ball into the middle. Marius Bülter still has a lot to do, but he displays incredible confidence and composure as he backheels a first-time shot into the corner. 'Die Königsblauen' are in dreamland!
40'
Marius Bülter
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.
8 %
36'

Zalazar denied!

Zalazar hits a sweet volley goalwards, but Fabian Bredlow stands strong. Zalazar then encourages the crowd to make even more noise as half-time approaches.
34'

Endo Stuttgart's most dangerous man

Endo has another attempt, this time firing a shot over the crossbar. That is his third effort of the half already!
32'

Schalke chances

Rodrigo Zalazar, Frey and Tom Krauß all take aim as Schalke look to extend their advantage.
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Schalke fans in good voice

The Nordkurve at Schalke's VELTINS-Arena will have enjoyed that Drexler effort.
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.
1.
Chris Führich
Chris Führich33.30km/h
2.
Alex Kral
Alex Kral32.67km/h
3.
Gil Bastiao Dias
Gil Bastiao Dias32.03km/h
29'

Schalke in unfamiliar position

This is the first time Schalke have been in front in a game since Matchday 14, against Mainz. Will they be able to handle being in this position?
26'

Improved Stuttgart spell

Endo has another header saved by Fährmann as Stuttgart enjoy some possession in the Schalke half.
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Delight for Schalke

You can see on the faces of the Schalke players just how important that opener could be.
17'

Save

Wataru Endo tests Ralf Fährmann with a header from corner, although it is ultimately a comfortable save for the goalkeeper.
16'

Schalke looking confident

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).
A strong opening quarter of an hour from Schalke - can they keep this up for the remainder of the match?
xGoals
1
0.47
0.07
1
Goals
15'

Chance

Stuttgart win the ball back in the final third, but Chris Führich fires well over the bar. A sight of goal for the visitors, though!
13'

Fantastic atmosphere

The crowd were well up for this before kick-off, and this place is now positively bouncing!
10'

The wait is over!

Schalke take the lead, scoring for the first time in five league matches! It's a devastating move down the left as Michael Frey breaks down the left, and his cross is perfectly placed for Drexler to head home.
10'
Dominick Drexler
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.
47 %
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A first

This is a maiden meeting between Thomas Reis and Bruno Labbadia in the Bundesliga. Who will come out on top?
4'

Positive

A good start from Schalke as they look to put their opponents under pressure. No clear-cut chances yet but they have at least displayed intent.
1'

And we're off!

Schalke get us underway!
Kick-off!
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Get well soon Dirk!

Schalke's stadium announcer Dirk Oberschulte-Beckmann will miss his first home game since 1995 due to illness and will be replaced by Kai Regnitter. Hope you recover quickly, Dirk!

In the tunnel

The two sides are getting ready to enter the pitch ahead of this match - almost show-time!
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Stuttgart's inspiration

VfB boss Bruno Labbadia is expecting an "intense match," at the Veltins Arena but wants his side to use last weekend's triumph as the fuel to fire their desire here. "It’s about taking the enthusiasm and desire from the win over Cologne to Gelsenkirchen," he explained. “The feeling of being able to win is very positive."

Schalke's "chance"

It's Stuttgart today and fellow relegation strugglers Bochum next weekend for basement boys Schalke. Here's how coach Reis is feeling about it all: “We have picked up points in four straight games and know that we have two important games coming up. These two games are a chance for us to put us back in the race. We want to take it.”

VfB team news

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Stuttgart are unchanged today, with their XI for this match the same as that which started the 3-0 win against Cologne last time out.
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Schalke team news

With Cedric Brunner (broken nose) and Jere Uronen (adductor problems) both out, Schalke coach Thomas Reis has Mehmet Can Aydin and Henning Matriciani playing in the full back positions. They mark the only two changes to the Royal Blues starting XI compared to last weekend's draw against Union Berlin.

Stuttgart subs

F. Müller, Vagnoman, Zagadou, Coulibaly, Nartey, Tomas, Perea, Pfeiffer, Kastaranas

Stuttgart starting XI

Bredlow - Anton, Mavropanos, Ito, Sosa - Endo (c), Karazor, Haraguchi - Gil Dias, Silas, Führich

Schalke subs

Schwolow, Greiml, Kaminski, J. Müller, Latza, Mohr, Balanta, Terodde, Karaman

Schalke starting XI

Fährmann - Aydin, Yoshida (c), Jenz, Matriciani - Kral, Krauß - Drexler, Zalazar, Bülter - Frey

Battle at the bottom

Today's meeting between Schalke and Stuttgart could have huge ramifications on the Bundesliga relegation battle with the hosts starting the day just six points clear of their bottom-place visitors. Schalke can pull away from the drop with all three points, while VfB would reel the Royal Blues in if they claim victory. A lot to play for.
0:30
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Watch: Get ready for Schalke vs. Stuttgart!

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Here you can find all the information about FC Schalke 04 against VfB Stuttgart on matchday 22.