Mainz 05 climbed to eighth in the Bundesliga by beating Schalke 04 2-0 at the Coface Arena on Friday evening.
Stefan Bell proved to be the hero for Mainz as he twice took advantage of poor defending from the visitors to help himself to a first-half brace.
Schalke were on the back foot for much of the second half before hitting the crossbar twice late on as they extended their winless run to six matches.
Read below to find out how Mainz boosted their bid for Europa League qualification.
Good evening everyone! The 30th round of Bundesliga fixtures begin tonight as Mainz 05 host Schalke 04 at the Coface Arena. Mainz probably need one more win to be completely safe from the threat of relegation, while Schalke are desperate to end their poor form with five games left in the campaign. Keep up to date with me over the next couple of hours.
In truth, it would take something special from the sides below them for Mainz to drop out of the Bundesliga, but with just seven points separating them from 16th-placed SC Paderborn, Martin Schmidt will be fully aware that his team still have work to do. Remarkably, a victory this evening would move them up to eighth, four points behind Schalke.
For Schalke, a frustrating campaign needs a positive finish. A run of five matches without a victory has killed off their bid for Champions League football, and another disappointing result tonight would pile the pressure on Roberto Di Matteo's side, who are just four points above seventh-placed Werder Bremen in the battle for Europa League qualification.
MAINZ: Karius, Brosinski, Bungert, Bell, Park, Baumgartlinger, Geis, Koo, Samperio, Malli, Okazaki
SCHALKE: Fahrmann, Howedes, Matip, Nastasic, Kolasinac, Neustädter, Hoger, Farfan, Sane, Choupo-Moting, Huntelaar
There's good news for the hosts as both Niko Bungert and Stefan Bell recover from their respective injury problems to start in defence. Shinji Okazaki will lead the line with support from Jairo Samperio and Yunus Malli after scoring twice in last weekend's 3-2 win over Freiburg.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is back from his illness to partner Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in attack, while Di Matteo also hands starts to Leroy Sane and Jefferson Farfan. The Schalke boss continues to take his time with Julian Draxler, who is joined on the bench by Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer.
Around 25 minutes until kick-off now. The warm-up is under way for the Royal Blues. #M05S04 pic.twitter.com/bO7fFhmQAY
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) April 24, 2015
In the early stages of Di Matteo's reign, there was a positive mood around the club but Schalke's struggles have been clear. Nothing than a top-four finish is acceptable to their loyal fans, and their failure to achieve that means the spotlight is on the Italian in the closing stages of the campaign. Dropping out of the top six would pile the pressure on his shoulders.
21 - @1FSVMainz05 more than doubled the amount of goals of @s04 in 2015 in the #Bundesliga (21-10). Duel. #M05S04
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 24, 2015
PREDICTION: Schalke's poor form should hand a big boost to Mainz heading into tonight's game. A lack of goals has been the problem for Schalke, but they should get opportunities against a vulnerable Mainz defence. I'm going for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
LAST MEETING: Huntelaar can't buy a goal for Schalke at the moment, but the Dutchman was at his best in the reverse fixture back in November as he scored a hat-trick in a comfortable 4-1 victory. Mainz will be hoping the striker is still looking for his shooting boots.
Here we go then. The two sides are out on the pitch at the Coface Arena, and we're just a few handshakes away from kickoff.
Schalke get the game underway. Fantastic noise coming from the home supporters prior to kickoff.
Good goalkeeping from Fahrmann as he comes off his line quickly to collect a chipped pass aimed at Samperio on the right side of the box.
SAVE! Neither side have been able to keep hold of the ball in the early stages, but it's Schalke who create the first opening when Huntelaar collects a long ball before forcing Karius into an excellent stop.
SAVE! Stunning goalkeeping from Karius. Moments after denying Huntelaar, the Mainz shot-stopper comes to the rescue again by getting his hand to a close-range header from Matip.
The game is being played at a really fast pace early on, and both sides are struggling to retain possession for an extended spell. It looks like there will be chances on offer at both ends.
A clever run from Farfan earns him enough space for the shot, but Karius is not tested on this occasion as the ball drifts past the post.
There's a break in play when Hoger needs some treatment after clashing with Koo in midfield. Luckily for the visitors, it looks like he should be fine to continue.
Mainz have been quite direct early on, but Okazaki hasn't been offered many opportunities to get involved in the game. Schalke are breaking at pace when they win the ball back and the visitors have looked dangerous.
SUBSTITUTION: Hoger decides he can't continue, and it looks like he may have twisted his ankle in that earlier challenge. Dennis Aogo is his replacement.
CHANCE! Huntelaar does very well to collect a high ball in the box before picking out Choupo-Moting, but his strike partner can only drag an effort past the post from a promising position.
Mainz are really struggling to find a way to get Okazaki involved, but credit must go to Schalke's midfielders, who are working impressively when they lose the ball further up the pitch.
Huntelaar has been really impressive in the early stages. His strength is on show once again as he turns on the edge of the box to find Farfan, whose deflected cross is collected by Karius.
CLOSE! Schalke fail to clear a long ball forward from the hosts, and Koo picks up the scraps before firing an effort just wide from 25 yards. Excellent strike from the midfielder.
Mainz are improving as the first half progresses, with the midfield pushing further up the pitch to put pressure on the visitors. They need to bring Jairo and Malli into the game more often, though.
I think Okazaki has had two touches of the ball in the first half, but he sets up a decent chance for Malli, whose effort deflects off Matip to hand Mainz a corner.
GOAL! MAINZ 1-0 SCHALKE (BELL)
Mainz break the deadlock! It looked like Bungert was going to volley home from the corner, but the ball breaks loose to Bell, who fires past a helpless Fahrmann from close range to earn his side the lead.
Clever play from Geis as he chips the Schalke defence in an attempt to find the run of Okazaki, but Fahrmann reacts quickly to head the ball to safety.
GOAL! MAINZ 2-0 SCHALKE (BELL)
Bell does it again! Schalke fail from another set-piece as Matip barely leaves the ground, and Bell takes full advantage by heading home from close range. It's a wonderful first half for the defender, who has scored his second and third goals of the season to hand the control to Mainz.
SAVE! Mainz are threatening to run riot. Geis decides against curling the ball over the wall from 30 yards, and his powerful free-kick almost catches Fahrmann off guard until the goalkeeper tips the ball past the post.
Kolasinac finds space on the wing to deliver a low cross, and Huntelaar is only denied by a crucial touch from Bungert. Mainz manage to survive the corner which follows as the ball drifts just over Nastasic's head.
Howedes is a very lucky boy. A lovely piece of skill from Koo is enough to trick the defender, whose late sliding tackle probably should have been punished with a yellow card. It's just a warning from the referee on this occasion.
YELLOW CARD! Brosinski is too quick for Neustadter, who is booked after pulling down the Mainz full-back. The frustration is clear for Schalke.
Schalke are dominating possession late in the first half, but Mainz are happy to stick to their defensive shape with all of the pressure on the visitors. Working on the break should suit the hosts even if we have seen very little of Jairo and Malli.
CHANCE! Brilliant work from Farfan as he sprints into space on the right wing before delivering a dangerous cross to find the run of Sane, who can only send a header wide of the post.
Mainz are taking the sting out of the game in the second minute of stoppage time. It's the home fans making all of the noise at the moment.
HALF TIME: MAINZ 2-0 SCHALKE
Mainz are on course to climb up to eighth this evening. Two goals from Bell have earned them a comfortable lead at the break, and Schalke look set for another disappointing result. Poor defending offered the opportunities to the Mainz defender and Di Matteo will be far from happy at the break.
1 - Stefan Bell is the first Defender from @1FSVMainz05 to score a brace in the Bundesliga. Bells.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) April 24, 2015
BENCH WATCH: I'd be very surprised if Di Matteo wasn't already thinking about a change. Huntelaar has held the ball up well and was unlucky not to break the deadlock when he forced Karius into an excellent stop, but he's not had much help from Choupo-Moting. Draxler would offer the visitors more creativity, while Kevin-Prince Boateng is also a good option.
Karius has played such a key role in this game. Schalke struggled after falling behind, but it was the Mainz goalkeeper who kept them out with two stunning saves in the early stages. Had the visitors taken the lead it would have been much tougher for Schmidt's side.
Di Matteo has resisted the temptation to make changes at the break, but he'll surely turn to the bench if his side don't hit back soon. Mainz will get the game back underway.
Schalke are enjoying plenty of possession at the start of the second half, but Mainz's midfield have clearly been told to drop deep when they don't have the ball. The visitors need to get the ball out wide.
You've got to give a lot of credit to Okazaki. It's not really been his night so far, but his movement is excellent and Schalke's defenders are finding it hard to track his runs. The striker needs better service, though.
Poor from Farfan. Schalke keep the pressure on when Mainz fail to clear the danger from a corner, but the winger is unable to clear the first defender with his cross from the right wing.
CHANCE! Schalke miss a great opportunity to pull a goal back. Brosinski delays clearing the ball on the right and Kolasinac capitalises to win possession before delivering the cross to Farfan, who sends his shot just past the post.
SUBSTITUTION: Di Matteo makes his first change as Leon Goretzka comes off the bench to replace Neustadter.
Mainz are set up to hit Schalke on the break, and they have a good opportunity to do just that when the visitors lose the ball high up the pitch. Koo gets involved on the left wing before cutting inside to fire an awful effort over the crossbar.
Schalke look nervy when the hosts attack at pace and good play from Baumgartlinger creates space for Okazaki, but the forward's decision to take a touch inside allows Nastasic to block the shot.
Mainz are doing all of the pressing now as Geis sends a deflected effort over after being charged down by Matip. Schalke need to survive this spell if they are to stand any chance of claiming something from the game.
It's just not happening for Huntelaar tonight. He's been starved of service since the break, and the Dutchman is left frustrated again when Bell charges down a shot and retains possession.
SUBSTITUTION: It's the change we all expected as Di Matteo uses his final substitution to bring Draxler on for Farfan, who appears to be limping slightly on his way to the bench.
Schalke just haven't clicked since creating a couple of early chances. Both Choupo-Moting and Sane give the ball away in promising positions as Mainz's stubborn defence continues to hold firm.
Mainz have retreated again in the last couple of minutes, but Schalke are only dominating possession in unthreatening areas of the pitch. Jairo almost breaks free after winning the ball but Matip recovers well.
OFF THE BAR! What a chance for the hosts to finish the game off. Malli's attempt to lob the ball across the box is intercepted by Fahrmann, who pushes the ball straight to Jairo. He should score from 10 yards out but he can only rattle the crossbar.
I'd say that Mainz might regret that miss, but Schalke aren't causing much of a threat at the other end. A goal would make it a very interesting finish, though. Mainz look comfortable at the moment.
SUBSTITUTION: Mainz have made a change, with Elkin Soto replacing Malli.
SUBSTITUTION: Jairo gets a standing ovation from the home fans, and he deserves a rest after working very hard at both ends of the pitch. Pablo De Blasis is his replacement.
YELLOW CARD! Strange decision from the referee. Sane trips Geis, but the booking goes to Kolasinac after he missed the tackle on the edge of the box.
OFF THE POST! Geis is inches away from making it 3-0. The Schalke wall jumps, but he hit his free kick low and strikes the outside of the post.
Schalke are all over the place at the back as a cross causes problems for the visiting defence. Mainz's supporters want a penalty when Kolasinac goes to ground, but he got a touch on the ball to dispossess Geis.
OFF THE BAR! Schalke create their best chance of the second half as Goretzka exchanges passes with Huntelaar before clipping the crossbar with a powerful effort.
Draxler has barely had a kick since coming on, and his night doesn't get any better when he fires a half-volley over from 25 yards. Schalke need him fully fit and back to his best as soon as possible.
CHANCE! Schalke are asking a few more questions now. Draxler moves the ball out wide to Kolasinac, whose deep cross eventually finds Choupo-Moting. The forward controls the ball on his chest, takes a touch with his right foot before miscuing a left-footed volley wide. It would have been a wonderful goal.
OFF THE BAR! Draxler is agonisingly close to scoring one of the goals of the season. The attacking midfielder drops deep to collect the ball in space before unleashing a 30-yard effort which beats Karius but hits the crossbar. It's a superb strike.
CHANCE! Where have Schalke been all night? They create another great opportunity through Draxler, who has come to life in the closing stages. He delivers an inch-perfect ball to the back post, but Huntelaar can only send his glancing header wide. Two minutes of added time to be played.
SUBSTITUTION: An energetic performance comes to an end as Okazaki comes off to be replaced by Nikolce Noveski.
FULL TIME: MAINZ 2-0 SCHALKE
It's all over at the Coface Arena, and a brace from Stefan Bell has secured three points for Mainz and moved them up to eighth in the table. Schalke responded far too late and they are now without a win in six matches. That's all from our live coverage this evening. I hope you've enjoyed following the game with Sports Mole. Goodnight!
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
