FC Schalke 04
| 1-0 | Belhanda | (14. Min) |
VfB Stuttgart
| 1-1 | Harnik | (74. Min) |
Daniel Didavi
Stats 
The run roles on
VfB have secured yet another point along the road to survival in the top-flight. Away to FC Schalke 04, the Cannstatt Boys played out a 1-1 draw and thus moved on to eight consecutive Bundesliga games without defeat. Having gone behind in the opening quarter hour, Christian Gentner & Co. worked hard for their equaliser, but had a tough time finding a gap to exploit in the well-drilled 'Knappen' defence. In the end, it was the substitutions that made the difference – with two of then eventually combining to level the scores.
Personnel
For VfB, Daniel Didavi returned from suspension to take a place in the starting eleven, with Alexandru Maxim thus having to take a place on the bench. It was the only alteration made by Jürgen Kramny to his starting eleven from last weekend.
Highlights
1st minute: The VfB players made a very special gesture towards injured striker Daniel Ginczek before the match began, with the team displaying the strikers name and number 33 on the front and back of their warm-up jackets. The team were greeted as they took to the pitch by a sea of white and red flags waved by the 2,500 travelling fans (check out the gallery).
Statement
Timo Werner: "Both teams had their opportunities in this game so the draw is basically a justified result. The goal we conceded was a little unfortunate, but right now, we are confident enough to deal with such setbacks and battle our way back into the game."
Post-match comments
6th minute: Shortly after the kick-off, the travelling fans are treated to the first chance for the Cannstatt Boys. Timo Werner broke through on the right, dribbled his way into the penalty area and picked out Christian Gentner in front of goal with a squared pass. The captain immediately unleashed his shot, but Schalke keeper Ralf Fährmann cleared for a corner with a good reflex-save.
14th minute: Jürgen Kramny put on a well-organised display but were then caught napping with almost a quarter hour on the clock. Przemyslaw Tyton got down well to make a save from Alessandro Schöpf, but the ball spun away kindly for Younes Belhanda, who was quickest to react and headed home to make it 1-0 for Schalke.
28th minute: With just less than a half hour played, birthday-boy Daniel Didavi saw his fifth yellow card of the season and will thus miss out on next weekend’s home clash with Hannover 96.
74th minute: The equaliser! Christian Gentner and Co. are finally rewarded for a massive effort. From a Maxim corner, the captain rose to flick the ball goal-wards, forcing a save from Ralf Fährmann, but the keeper can only parry the ball towards the back post, where Martin Harnik is perfectly placed to slot home and make it 1-1.
Summary
The VfB players again displayed the right mentality. In a match which produced rather few clear chances on goal, the visitors had problems finding a way through a compact Schalke defence over long periods. VfB continued to press for an equaliser, refused to throw in the towel and eventually earned themselves a point, have proven the more active of the two sides after the break.
