The atmosphere in the stadium was understandably glum ahead of the match as the visitors prepared to contest their first Bundesliga encounter since the tragic death of their long-time goalkeeper and captain, Robert Enke.

Mark of respect

As a mark of respect to the departed former Germany shot-stopper, the Hannover players wore a black No1 on their chests, while both sets of players sported a black armband and observed an impeccable minute's silence shortly before kick-off.

Once the silence was over, however, it was time to get on with the action and what was indeed an important league fixture for both sides. Hannover were forced to do without American defender Steven Cherundolo, while Schalke boss Felix Magath elected to replace Benjamin Höwedes and Vicente Sanchez with Vasileios Pliatsikas and Lewis Holtby respectively.

Bright start from the visitors

Determined to do their former team-mate Enke proud, Hannover were the fastest out of the blocks and immediately put the hosts under pressure, although the first real chance of the match went the home side's way as Kevin Kuranyi just failed to get on the end of a Rafinha cross. It was a taste of things to come, with both sides creating chances in what developed into a true end-to end encounter.

Enke's replacement Florian Fromlowitz was first called into action as early as the eighth minute, saving smartly from a long range Christoph Moritz drive. Hannover responded immediately when Didier Ya Konan tricked his way into the box before firing goalwards, only to see his effort tipped around the far post by Manuel Neuer.

Good sportsmanship

Shortly afterwards, Hannover cult hero Jiri Stajner almost profited from a misunderstanding in the home defence but sportingly stayed on his feet following a desperate Joel Matip challenge before seeing his effort blocked at the death by Marcelo Bordon. Not only was it a chance wasted for Andreas Bergmann's troops, but undoubtedly a decent call for a penalty kick.

With half time fast approaching, Jefferson Farfan found himself in the clear only to be denied by Sergio Pinto, while moments later Ya Konan's strike from just outside the area made Neuer work at the other end. Still, despite a plethora of chances, the sides went in 0-0 at the break in an entertaining encounter that could have seen either side go in front.

End to end

Following the restart, Stajner again had an opportunity from the right side of the penalty area, but the topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as Kuranyi cut in from the left before releasing a powerful right-foot effort to bring an excellent save from Fromlowitz just eight minutes later.

Nearing the hour mark it was the home side who began to seize control of the affair, although Arnold Bruggink almost found the net against the run of play after being fed on the edge of the D. His right-foot drive was deflected and almost wrong-footed Neuer, who managed to parry away one handed. In the immediate aftermath, Ya Konan almost squirmed his way into the box but lost control of the ball at the vital moment.

Farfan opener

Shortly afterwards, though, and Schalke were rewarded for their positive spell. The opening goal was simple in its delivery, the impressive Rafinha swinging in a corner from the right for the unmarked Farfan to crash home a header into the top corner, leaving Fromlowitz with no chance.

Two minutes later and it could have been two as Kuranyi was slipped through on the right-hand side of the box, only to drag his effort wide of the far post with only the goalkeeper to beat. The pressure continued with substitute Rakitic forcing another decent save from the young Hannover keeper as Schalke looked to build on their one-goal advantage.

Moravek wraps it up

Both Farfan and Kuranyi had further chances as the match drew to a close - the latter finishing the fixture still agonisingly short of a century of Bundesliga career goals on 99 - but eventually the Royal Blues did wrap things up and deservedly so, substitute Jan Moravek immediately stroking home with ease after Moritz's fierce left-foot strike in injury time fell at his feet following a good save by Fromlowitz.

And thus there was to be no winning return for Hannover following the tragic events of the past two weeks, but the Reds did their former team-mate proud with a battling performance for much of the 90 minutes. Schalke, in the end, emerged the better team and there will be few complaints as Felix Magath's charges retain third spot in the table.


Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Westermann, Bordon, Schmitz - Matip - Moritz, Pliatsikas (Höwedes 46')- Farfan (Moravek 90+1'), Holtby (Rakitic 50') - Kuranyi

Hannover: Fromlowitz - Pinto, Haggui, C. Schulz, Rausch - Balitsch - Rosenthal (Eggimann 76'), Djakpa (Rama 73') - Bruggink (Hanke 81') - Stajner, Ya Konan

Goals: 1-0 Farfan (69'), 2-0 Moravek (90+1')

Attendance: 61,000 Veltins Arena


Andy James