Schalke 2-0 Hannover: Fromlowitz Heroics Not Enough to Stop Schalke

Florian Fromlowitz put in an excellent shift to deny Schalke a number of clear-cut chances, but Jefferson Farfan and Jan Moravek struck late to earn a comfortable victory.

Nov 21, 2009 4:25:32 PM

More On :  Hannover 96, Schalke 04, Schalke 04 vs Hannover 96
Bundesliga: Schalke 04, Farfan, Kuranyi (firo)

At the start there was a minute's silence in remembrance of Hannover goalkeeper Robert Enke, who tragically died last week.

After the silence, Hannover lined up in the same formation that was used in a recent 2-2 draw with Hamburg, but playmaker Arnold Bruggink got the start, moving Jan Rosenthal to right midfield, and moving Sergio Pinto to right fullback. All eyes were on goalkeeper Florian Fromlowitz, who after Enke's death is now Hannover's new starting goalkeeper. He retained his #27 shirt, a sign of respect for Enke, who wore the #1.

Schalke coach Felix Magath switched from the 4-3-3 setup he used against Bayern to a 4-3-1-2 formation. Matchday 12 hero Joel Matip retained his starting role in defensive midfield, but Lewis Holtby was welcomed back as the playmaker behind striking duo Jefferson Farfan and Kevin Kuranyi.

Fromlowitz was first tested after seven minutes, when Jefferson Farfan blasted a shot towards the top-right corner of goal. The Hannover goalkeeper was quick to react and did well to force a corner.

Hannover quickly responded on the counterattack as Arnold Bruggink dribbled into space and laid off for Didier Ya Konan, who curled a shot that Manuel Neuer stopped with another excellent save.

The early minutes were played very evenly, and at pace as both sides were able to exploit open spaces in their opponents' defense. After a short while, Schalke's trademark organization came into effect and the visitors were hardly able to string two passes together before conceding possession.

Schalke's youthful midfield, which averaged an age of 20 years, was energetic in winning the ball, but through-ball after through-ball was either struck too far forward, or was mistimed. Without real need, Farfan drifted wide, leaving oft-offside striker Kuranyi all by himself.

The visitors would not be put off by their lack of possession. After a misplaced pass from Rafinha, Jiri Stajner was played into the box before Matip made an errant tackle at the Czech midfielder's ankles. Stajner remained on his feet and shot, but by that time Marcelo Bordon was in position to block the shot.

Seconds later on the other end, Farfan beat the offside trap but was chased down by Pinto, and Fromlowitz was able to claim the ball.

Rafinha, who only has touched the ball less than Philipp Lahm, continued to struggle as the half drew towards its conclusion. In the 41st minute, he passed straight to Ya Konan, who squared and shot from distance to force another excellent save from Neuer.

For both teams' efforts, there was nothing to show after 45 minutes. Hannover went to the locker room having been outplayed in midfield and missed what few chances were earned (or given, depending on your viewpoint). Schalke won the midfield battle but drew in the overall war, and could have done much better. Rafinha's mistakes were nearly costly, and Kuranyi was largely anonymous, thanks to his being found offside three times.

At the half, defender Benedikt Howedes was substituted in for midfielder Vasilias Pliatsikas, and Rafinha was promoted to the midfield. Five minutes into the half, Lewis Holtby was removed in favor of Ivan Rakitic in a like-for-like substitution.

In the 53rd, minute, Fromlowitz was called into action once more as Kuranyi moved into vacant space on the left side to field a long ball. Pinto was well out of position, and Karim Haggui had to make up a considerable gap on the former German international, who hooked inside and fired on goal, but Fromlowitz made yet another brilliant save.

In the second half, Hannover's ball control was significantly improved, and the visitors were able to carve through a well-organized Schalke defense to create their share of chances. Their best chance early on came in the 61st minute, when Arnold Bruggink fielded a pas at the top of the box, fired towards the left side of goal, but had his shot blocked rightward by Bordon. Neuer had reacted to the shot's initial trajectory, but recovered to make a tremendous save.

Although Schalke were no major threat in free play, the tall and strong home side were always going to be dangerous from set pieces, and eventually broke through from a corner. With 20 minutes to go, Rafinha sent an outswinger into the box, which Farfan was first to meet with a powerful header, which left Fromlowitz with no chance to save.

After going a goal down, Hannover's defense went into total meltdown. Just after the opener, Kuranyi had a one-on-one with Fromlowitz, but missed wide of the far post. Shortly after that, Rakitic was found unmarked in the box, but Fromlowitz made another superb save to preserve hopes of a decreasingly likely equalizer.

Hannover's defense stabilized, but at the expense of any offensive movement. Schalke remained firmly in control for the final minutes, and took a 2-0 lead through Jan Moravek, who tapped in after Kuranyi's blast was parried.

Thanks to today's win, Schalke move to third, one point behind Leverkusen, who have a game in hand. Hannover remain tenth, having missed a good chance of at least temporarily surpassing Dortmund.

Clark Whitney, Goal.com
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