Cologne and Schalke share spoils in goalless draw
Cologne 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.
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.
First half: chances come and go
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.
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 as 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.
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.
Man of the Match: Loris Karius
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)
