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Played
February 19, 2012 9:30 AM EST
Veltins-Arena — Gelsenkirchen
Referee: P. Sippel
Attendance: 60511
February 19, 2012 9:30 AM EST
Veltins-Arena — Gelsenkirchen
Referee: P. Sippel
Attendance: 60511
Top of the Match
Julian Draxler
Schalke 04
Schalke 04
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Schalke 04
Schalke 04
Flop of the Match
Christian Träsch
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg
Christian Träsch
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Schalke 4-0 Wolfsburg: Huntelaar strikes twice as Huub Stevens' men consolidate fourth spot in the Bundesliga
The hosts were rampant against Felix Magath's team, which had Diego Benaglio to thank for a string of saves that limited the scoring.
By Enis Koylu
Bongarts
Felix Magath endured an unhappy return to the Veltins Arena, watching his Wolfsburg team slump to a 4-0 defeat against Schalke.
Raul, a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar double and Joel Matip gave the hosts their commanding advantage, but the match was characterized by a string of missed chances from both teams.
Given the emphatic nature of the scoreline, it is perhaps surprising that the first clear opening fell to Wolfsburg.
Petr Jiracek went on a superb run down the right, but as the visitors' attacking force was lining up to tap his cutback home, Atsuto Uchida turned the ball behind.
However, at that point, Schalke took over. Uchida turned defensive savior to provider, motoring down the right before crossing to Julian Draxler, whose volley struck the woodwork.
The hosts were not made to wait long for their lead though. Jefferson Farfan swung in a corner, Matip flicked the ball on at the near post, and Raul was left with a simple tap-in.
Minutes later, it was two. Christian Fuchs made a great run to reach Marco Hoger's ball, before cutting it back to Huntelaar, who tapped it past Benaglio to double his side's advantage.
Despite being 2-0 down, Wolfsburg began to craft chances. A poorly cleared set-piece gave Felipe the chance to volley his side back into the game, but the Brazilian screwed his strike wide.
Another defensive lapse allowed Yohandry Orozco a clear run at goal, but Lars Unnerstall charged off his line to block the shot. The rebound found its way to Mario Mandzukic, who contrived to clear the bar from a matter of yards.
At the other end, some great work Draxler set up Farfan for a volley, but the Peruvian's shot was blocked by Felipe's hand. The referee pointed to the spot, and issued the Brazilian a yellow card for his troubles, but Huntelaar's penalty was blocked by Benaglio's elbow.
The Swiss goalkeeper was having a terrific day in the Wolfsburg goal, and it continued on the stroke of half-=time as the ever-lively Draxler pulled the ball back to Huntelaar, who was unable to find a way past the 28-year-old once more.
Any chance of a Wolfsburg revival was ended shortly after the break. Kyriakos Papadopoulos headed a corner down to Matip, who sent an acute backheel past the onrushing Benaglio.
Benaglio then denied once Huntelaar again, before the Dutchman finally scored his second of the afternoon.
Christian Fuchs' initial cross made its way back to the Austrian, but his next attempt found Huntelaar perfectly, leaving the the 28-year-old to head the ball into the top corner.
Timo Hildebrand denied Sebastian Polter late on, leaving Papadopoulos to hook the ball off the line in an afternoon where Schalke gave nothing away, before Ciprian Marica missed a golden opportunity late on for the hosts.
It was to matter little, however. An assured performance made sure that Schalke kept up with the Bundesliga leaders and restored the eight-point gap between its and Werder Bremen in fifth.
Raul, a Klaas-Jan Huntelaar double and Joel Matip gave the hosts their commanding advantage, but the match was characterized by a string of missed chances from both teams.
Given the emphatic nature of the scoreline, it is perhaps surprising that the first clear opening fell to Wolfsburg.
Petr Jiracek went on a superb run down the right, but as the visitors' attacking force was lining up to tap his cutback home, Atsuto Uchida turned the ball behind.
However, at that point, Schalke took over. Uchida turned defensive savior to provider, motoring down the right before crossing to Julian Draxler, whose volley struck the woodwork.
The hosts were not made to wait long for their lead though. Jefferson Farfan swung in a corner, Matip flicked the ball on at the near post, and Raul was left with a simple tap-in.
Minutes later, it was two. Christian Fuchs made a great run to reach Marco Hoger's ball, before cutting it back to Huntelaar, who tapped it past Benaglio to double his side's advantage.
Despite being 2-0 down, Wolfsburg began to craft chances. A poorly cleared set-piece gave Felipe the chance to volley his side back into the game, but the Brazilian screwed his strike wide.
Another defensive lapse allowed Yohandry Orozco a clear run at goal, but Lars Unnerstall charged off his line to block the shot. The rebound found its way to Mario Mandzukic, who contrived to clear the bar from a matter of yards.
At the other end, some great work Draxler set up Farfan for a volley, but the Peruvian's shot was blocked by Felipe's hand. The referee pointed to the spot, and issued the Brazilian a yellow card for his troubles, but Huntelaar's penalty was blocked by Benaglio's elbow.
The Swiss goalkeeper was having a terrific day in the Wolfsburg goal, and it continued on the stroke of half-=time as the ever-lively Draxler pulled the ball back to Huntelaar, who was unable to find a way past the 28-year-old once more.
Any chance of a Wolfsburg revival was ended shortly after the break. Kyriakos Papadopoulos headed a corner down to Matip, who sent an acute backheel past the onrushing Benaglio.
Benaglio then denied once Huntelaar again, before the Dutchman finally scored his second of the afternoon.
Christian Fuchs' initial cross made its way back to the Austrian, but his next attempt found Huntelaar perfectly, leaving the the 28-year-old to head the ball into the top corner.
Timo Hildebrand denied Sebastian Polter late on, leaving Papadopoulos to hook the ball off the line in an afternoon where Schalke gave nothing away, before Ciprian Marica missed a golden opportunity late on for the hosts.
It was to matter little, however. An assured performance made sure that Schalke kept up with the Bundesliga leaders and restored the eight-point gap between its and Werder Bremen in fifth.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EST
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker Schalke |
29 | 6 |
|
Mario Gomez
Striker FC Bayern München |
26 | 4 |
|
Robert Lewandowski
Striker Borussia Dortmund |
22 | 0 |
|
Lukas Podolski
Striker FC Koln |
18 | 3 |
|
Claudio Pizarro
Striker Werder Bremen |
18 | 2 |