bundesliga

Marius Bülter on the spot to ensure Schalke take a share of the spoils against Borussia Mönchengladbach

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Schalke's Marius Bülter slotted home a penalty in added time to prevent Borussia Mönchengladbach from claiming a second successive win after the Foals had earlier turned a thrilling Bundesliga game on its head.

Schalke 2-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach
Goals: 1-0 Zalazar 29' (assist: Mohr), 1-1 Hofmann 72' (assist: Thuram), 1-2 Thuram 78', 2-2 Bülter (pen.) 90'+3

It had been some time since Schalke's impressive Veltins-Arena rocked amid a Bundesliga atmosphere and the supporters in Royal Blue made up for lost time as they roared on their recently promoted heroes, who started this Matchday 2 fixture strongly. The Bundesliga 2 champions kept the Gladbach defenders on their toes with Tobias Mohr and Rodrigo Zalazar both going close early on. Unlike their hosts, the Foals enjoyed an opening day win, Daniel Farke's recent appointment inspiring a 3-1 triumph against Hoffenheim last time out. The visitors took time to hit their stride here, but when they did, Marcus Thuram might have given them the lead, the French forward dragging an effort narrowly wide when well placed. Zalazar scored six times in Schalke's promotion push last term with two of those coming in the final two games of the 2021/22 campaign. Die Knappen's No. 10 was up and running in the Bundesliga in fine style after a flowing counter-attack led to the Spain-born forward letting fly from distance. His shot to the corner took the slightest of touches and left Yann Sommer looking over his shoulder in despair as the stadium erupted.

Aiming to use the experience gained from fighting back from a losing position last weekend, Gladbach went in search of an equaliser after the restart. Jonas Hofmann drew a save from Alexander Schwolow, although the midfielder would have been pulled back for offside had he been successful with his effort. At the other end, Schalke menaced with the ever-lively Zalazar whipping a shot over the top after engineering himself room on the edge of the area. As the game ticked on, Die Fohlen remained patient. Their failure to panic - especially after debutant Jordan Larsson volleyed over - reaped rewards with Hofmann taking advantage of a superb Thuram back-heeled assist to finish under Schwolow. It was to get even better for the visiting side soon afterwards. Having made a string of fine stops to deny Schalke's opponents, Schwolow collided with teammate Alex Kral when trying to defend a corner. The ball dropped at the feet of Thuram who hooked in to put Gladbach ahead. Frank Kramer's side needing a lifeline, they would get one when a screen check revealed Patrick Herrmann handled in his own area following a set piece. Marius Bülter sent Sommer the wrong way from the spot and a thrilling contest ended with honours even.

Match stats

  • Bülter has two goals in as many Bundesliga games for Schalke, adding to his eight in 58 for Union Berlin.
  • Thuram scored with his seventh shot on goal.
  • Gladbach have scored three of their four goals this season in the last 20 minutes of their games.
  • Zalazar's opener gave Schalke their first Bundesliga lead this season. The 22-year-old Albacete-born forward is the fifth Spaniard to score a Bundesliga goal for Schalke. Raul (28 Bundesliga goals), Omar Mascarell, Coke and Jose Manuel Jurado also scored for the Royal Blues in the past.
  • Jordan Larsson is the second Swede to play for Schalke in the Bundesliga. Lennart Larsson played 26 Bundesliga games for the Royal Blues in the late 1970s, scoring three goals.
  • Schalke have conceded five goals this season, all of them in the second half of games. They were playing at home in the Bundesliga for the first time since 15 May 2021 (a 4-3 win against Eintracht Frankfurt). The match was their 1,800th in the German top flight.

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Watch: Rodrigo Zalazar on Schalke's "amazing" fans

Teams

Schalke: Schwolow - Brunner, Yoshida, Thiaw, Ouwejan - Krauß, Kral (Latza 85'), Zalazar (Mollet 66') - Bülter, Terodde (c) (Polter 66'), Mohr (Larsson 60')
Unused subs: Fährmann, Flick, Kaminski, Matriciani, Calhanoglu
Out: Drexler (suspended)
Coach: Frank Kramer

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Scally, Itakura, Elvedi, Bensebaini – Kone (Friedrich 88'), Kramer, Neuhaus - Hofmann (Herrmann 88'), Thuram, Plea
Unused subs: Sippel, Wolf, Lainer, Netz, Jantschke, Reitz, Borges Sanches
Out: Stindl (muscular)
Coach: Daniel Farke

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