Bayern Munich 4 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 0

========================================================
Finland’s youthful international TEEMU PUKKI (20) of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, the 22-year-old striker who was signed from HJK Helsinki in the summer of 2011, is challenged by Bayern Munich’s standout Brazilian defender DANTE during the runaway Bundesliga match at the sold-out Allianz Arena in southern Germany.
========================================================

02/09/13
Bundesliga
Spieltag # 21

4 – BAYERN MUNICH ———————– Alaba pen 19′, 51′, Schweinsteiger 32′, Gomez 63′
0 – SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN

Such is the overall depth of the squad this season, trainer JUPP HEYNCKES could afford to rest the club’s two leading goal-scorers this season and still have no real worries as record German champion BAYERN MUNICH dismantled visiting rival SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN 4-0 in the Bundesliga.

Austria international DAVID ALABA, the 20-year-old versatile left back for Bayern Munich, cooly slotted home a 19th minute penalty kick before veteran Germany international midfielder BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER netted with a brilliant free kick that left Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen goalkeeper TIMO HILDEBRAND no real chance.

After struggling through an injury-filled campaign a last season, the rejuvenated Schweinsteiger has now scored five goals in 21 Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich while adding two more goals in the UEFA Champions League this season on behalf of the Bavarians.

Holland World Cup winger ARJEN ROBBEN was heavily involved in the two second half goals for Bayern Munich. A lethal run down the left flank and cross into the box by the Dangerous Dutchman allowed Germany international MARIO GOMEZ to lay the ball off nicely for Alaba to smoothly score his second goal of the match. And an unselfish play by Robben to square the ball for Gomez enabled the 27-year-old striker to tally his third goal of this 2012/13 Bundesliga season and fifth for Bayern Munich in all competitions this term.

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen were missing injured Holland international KLAAS JAN HUNTELAAR, the prolific 29-year-old striker who led the Bundesliga with 29 goals last season.

Bayern Munich extended its lead at the top of the table to a daunting fifteen points because the two nearest rivals in the German top flight standings, defending champion Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, both failed to win in the 21st round of this historic 50th Bundesliga campaign.

========================================================

========================================================
Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s United States international midfielder JERMAINE JONES (13) looks to stop Flying Dutchman ARJEN ROBBEN of Bayern Munich, the 29-year-old winger who has three goals in Cup competitions this season but is still searching for a first strike in the German top flight this term, during the lopsided Bundesliga match at the always sold-out Allianz Arena in Bavaria.
========================================================

BAYERN MUNICH : Neuer – Lahm (Rafinha 73′), Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Martinez, Schweinsteiger (Luiz Gustavo 73′) – Robben, Kroos, Ribery (Contento 73′) – Gomez

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Hildebrand – Hoewedes, Metzelder, Matip, Kolasinac – Jones, Neustaedter – Hoeger (Raffael 64′), Michel Bartos (Farfan 72′), Barnetta – Pukki (Edu 78′)

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 0 – Bayern Munich 2

========================================================
Germany centerback JEROME BOATENG of Bayern Munich, in his second season with the Bavarians now after transferring from English Premier League side Manchester City in the summer of 2011, pulls away from shackled Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen striker KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR (25), the high-scoring Holland international who led the entire top flight with 29 goals for die Koenigsblauen last season, during the Bundesliga match at the sold-out Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia.
========================================================

09/22/12
Bundesliga
Spieltag # 4

0 – SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN
2 – BAYERN MUNICH —————————– Kroos 55′, Mueller 58′

A pair of Blitztore not so long after the halftime break left the in-form visitors in full control of a tense contest which, up to that point, had produced few chances at either end as record German champion BAYERN MUNICH shutout host SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN 2-0 and maintained its 100% record in addition to its position at the top of the Bundesliga table.

The Bavarians, who have now opened this 2012/13 season with a seven consecutive victory on the trot, had far more of the possession and territory throughout the opening session but also had trouble breaking down the determined Koenigsblauen backline in the attacking third. Croatia international striker MARIO MANDZUKIC, who missed a late spot kick against visiting Spanish La Liga side CF Valenica in the midweek UEFA European Champions League match, might have done better with a header at the back post and a wide-open net at his mercy in the 25th minute. The most dangerous shot on target in the first half, though, came off the boot of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s Peru international winger JEFFERSON FARFAN in the 39th minute but Germany first choice MANUEL NEUER did well to steer the ball over the crossbar.

Germany international winger THOMAS MUELLER directed his header agonizingly just wide not so long after the restart and, rather than despair, promptly responded by setting up the first goal of the game and then scoring the second a mere three minutes later. Mueller was involved in a magical one-two at the top of the box that saw red-hot Germany international midfielder TONI KROOS brilliantly curl a right-footed shot around the diving Schalke 04 goalkeeper LARS UNNERSTALL in the 55th minute. A fourth goal in as many matches for Bayern Munich from the currrently unstoppable Kroos, the versatile 22-year-old who also netted a magnificent strike against CF Valencia in Europe earlier this week, as well.

========================================================

========================================================
Peru international JEFFERSON FARFAN of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, the seasoned 27-year-old winger who scored 17 goals combined in his first two campaigns in the German top flight after transferring from Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven but has managed a total of just seven goals the last two years for die Koenigsblauen, attempts to shield the ball from Bayern Munich’s Brazil international midfielder LUIZ GUSTAVO during the Bundesliga match at the sold-out Veltins Arena.
========================================================

The in-form Mueller, who now boasts four goals in as many Bundesiga matches to start this new term, then stepped to center stage, himself, and produced a stunning individual effort. After putting the ball right between the legs of die Koenigsblauen’s Austria international left back CHRISTIAN FUCHS at the edge of the penatly area on the right, the 23-year-old also needed fend off a challenge from behind by Germany international midfielder JULIAN DRAXLER. A very cheeky right-footed roller from a very sharp angle eluded the outstretched Unnerstall and tucked neatly inside the lower far post to wonderfully conclude the world-class run from Mueller.

Farfan had one more menacing attempt, his third on target in the match, with a left-footed drive in the 81st minute but was, again, foiled by a fine save from Neuer, who got down low and extended in time before quickly smothering the rebound. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper, who was sold by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen to the Bavarian giants for a transfer fee of 18.0 million Euros in the summer of 2011, had an excellent outing on his return to the old stomping ground. The Koenigsblauen supporters at the Veltins Arena, unfortunately, demonstrated their class by loudly whistling whenever Neuer touched the ball throughtout the contest.

Holland international KLAAS-JAN HUNTELAAR, the former Real Madrid and AC Milan Torjaeger who led the Bundesliga in goal-scoring last season, had very little opportunity to shine on home turf. This as a result of the organized defending of the Bavarians spearheaded by the new centerback tandem this season, Germany international JEROME BOATENG and the newly-acquired Brazilian DANTE. Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s Dutch central striker had one meaningless attempt at the very end of the match with Bayern Munich but blasted his shot high and wide.

========================================================

========================================================
Holland international winger ARJEN ROBBEN of Bayern Munich, who might have had a second half strike but was unable to successfully lob the Koenigsblauen goalkeeper, is fouled from behind by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s Cameroon international defender JOEL MATIP (32) during the Bundesliga match witnessed by 61,673 spectators at the Veltins Arena in western Germany.
========================================================

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Unnerstall – Hoewedes, Papadopoulos, Matip, Fuchs – Neustaedter, Jones (Hoeger 78′) – Farfan, Holtby (Barnetta 62′), Draxler (Affelay 63′) – Huntelaar

BAYERN MUNICH : Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Badstuber – Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger (Tymoshchuk 89′) – Mueller, Kroos, Robben (Shaqiri 84) – Mandzukic (Martinez 70′)

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

Bayern Munich 2 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 0

========================================================
France World Cup winger FRANCK RIBERY (right) of Bayern Munich focuses intently as Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s rugged Greece international defender KYRIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS sticks in a foot to tackle the ball away during the Bundesliga match at the sold-out Allianz Arena in the Bavarian section of southern Germany.
========================================================

2/26/12
Bundesliga
Spieltag # 23

2 – BAYERN MUNICH ——————————– Ribery 36′, 55′
0 – SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN

A pair of fantastic finishes within twenty minutes of each other on both sides of the halftime whistle were more than enough to provide the record German champions with a much-needed boost of morale as BAYERN MUNICH blanked visiting, long-time rival SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN 2-0 and reclaimed second place in the Bundesliga standings.

In a match that featured plenty of end-to-end stuff at the start, the Bavarians had far better of the chances but found one-time Germany international goalkeeper TIMO HILDEBRAND to be in standout form between the sticks for die Koenigsblauen. The 32-year-old veteran, who spent last season as cover at Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon, was actually making his first start in the German top flight since appearing for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim back in mid-April of 2010. But Hildebrand, who now has 261 Bundesliga games under his belt to go along with seven caps for Deutschland in his career, had no trouble pulling off three quality saves in the opening seven minutes alone for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen.

Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER, who was purchased this past summer by Bayern Munich from die Koenigsblauen for the considerable transfer fee of 18.0 million Euros, would be needed at the other end of the pitch to make a sharp save from the fierce header of Schalke 04′s veteran Germany international defender CHRISTOPH METZELDER, the one-time Real Madrid backliner, before the unfortunate Hildebrand made a massive mistake to change the course of the entire match in the 36th minute.

========================================================

========================================================
Germany international HOLGER BADSTUBER (28), the realiable defender who still has not scored a goal for Bayern Munich in 33 matches in all competitions this season, stabs a rebound just wide of the Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen goal in full view of the Bayern Munich mascot, BERNI, late in the first half of the Bundesliga match at the sold-out Allianz Arena.
========================================================

Bayern Munich’s Brazil international midfielder LUIZ GUSTAVO won a duel in his own third and delivered an expertly-weighted long ball down the left flank for France World Cup winger FRANCK RIBERY. The Schalke 04 goalkeeper inexplicably came charging well out of his area in an ill-advised attempt to cut the pass off, but the diminutive Frenchman skillfully lobbed the adventurous Hildebrand and retrieved the ball on the other side. Ribery then stroked the ball into the unguarded net for a most critical first goal of the match.

The Bavarians might have increased their lead further before the break but Hildebrand quickly returned to form with a series of saves including an astonishing, point-blank save from Germany World Cup winger THOMAS MUELLER; Neuer also did well to tip an absolute rocket from Schalke 04′s Austria international left back CHRISTIAN FUCHS over the crossbar just ahead of the intermission.

Bayern Munich went right back on attack in search of a second just after the restart but found no luck when a header from Germany international defender HOLGER BADSTUBER was turned away by the crossbar. The in-form Ribery, though, soon settled matters after playing the old one-two with Mueller and firing a shot that took a slight deflection off Schalke 04′s Greece international defender KYRGIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS before finding the back of the net in the 55th minute. There would be no way back for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, then, as Ribery registered his 10th Bundesliga goal of this 2011/12 football season and propelled Bayern Munich to a most satisfying (not to mention, sorely needed) victory.

========================================================

========================================================
Germany international striker MARIO GOMEZ of Bayern Munich (right), who remains tied at the top of the league scoring chart with Holland international striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of die Koenigsblauen on 18 goals this season, steps on the foot of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s sliding Greece international defender KYRIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS immediately following a tackle during the Bundesliga match at the always-filled-to-capacity Allianz Arena in Bavaria.
========================================================

BAYERN MUNICH : Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm – Luiz Gustavo, Alaba – Robben, Mueller (Tymoshchuk 89′), Ribery – Gomez (Olic 72′)

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Hildebrand – Hoewedes, Papadopoulos, Metzelder (Uchida 84′), Fuchs – Matip (Holtby 65′), Hoeger – Farfan, Draxler (Obasi 57′) – Raul, Huntelaar

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

========================================================

Torhueter Horst War Das Erste Profispieler Zu Wechseln

==================================================
Die Fussballkarte zeigt Kicker HORST MUEHLMANN, der auch in die alte North American Soccer League gespielt hat, mit der Philadelphia Eagles in der National Football League … Ich hatte diese Karte, wann ich eine Jugend war.
==================================================

Ehemalige Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen Torhueter HORST MUEHLMANN aus Deutschland war der erste ehemalige Profi Fussballspieler, zum ein Kicker in der National Football League zu werden.

Muehlmann war in Dortmund geboren und sein Fussball Laufbahn als eine Jugend mit BV Brambauer beginnt. Dann der Torhueter wechselte nach Borussia Dortmund, bevor Muehlmann ist schliesslich in Gelsenkirchen mit Schalke 04 angekommen. Das Jahr ist 1961 und es gab noch kein Bundesliga — die Koenigsblauen spielt in der alten Oberliga der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.

=======================================================

=======================================================
Es ist die letzte Fussballsaison der Oberliga West, bevor die Bundesliga kommt an. Das Datum ist 23.03.1963 und Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen spielt gegen MSV Duisburg mit 18.000 Zuschauer an dem alten Wedaustadion. Koenigsblauen Torhueter HORST MUEHLMANN (schwarzes Hemd) hat ein Duell in der Luft mit den Angreifern von MSV Duisburg.
=======================================================

Muehlmann hatte 26 von 30 Spiele zwischen den Stoecken mit Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen waehrend der erste Bundesligasaison von 1963/64. WILLI SCHULZ, 66 A-Laenderspiele und fuer Bundesrepublik Deutschland an dem 1966 FIFA Weltmeisterschaft gespielt hat, hervorragender Verteidiger mit der Koenigsblauen jetzt war. Schalke 04 beendete das erste Jahr des Bundesliga in dem achten Platz.

Aber dann Muehlmann hat seinen Torhueterplatz verloren, zuerst zu dem jugoslawischen GYULA TOTH und dann zum JOSEF ELTING. Er hat nur sechzehnmal in den letzten zwei Jahre mit der ersten Mannschaft erschienen. 1966 ist damals an die SC Bonner in der zweitklassigen Regionalliga West, der 26 Jahr alte Torhueter.

================================================

================================================
Torhueter HORST MUEHLMANN, der zweiter Platz von dem links ist, steht mit den Startelf von Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen vor einem Spiel in dem Bundesliga.
================================================

Am Sommer von 1968, kam Muehlmann nach Amerika und unterzeichnete einen Vertrag mit der Kansas City Spurs der North American Soccer League. Aber noch wieder, der deutsche Torhueter sitzt auf der Bank viel oft. Muehlmann spielt nur ein Mal alle Saison in der NASL.

Aber dieser Zeit in der Geschichte, American Football League und National Football League Mannschaften Hilfe brauchen. Ein “Field Goal” ist schwierig zu machen, weil weinige das Ball immer genau steuren koennen. Niemand koennen auch das Ball sehr weit mit dem Fuss schicken. Und die zwei ungarischen Brueder, Charlie and Pete Gogolak, hatten bereits die Weise gezeigt — es war “soccer-style” benannt und jede amerikanischefussball Mannschaft moechte ein andere Gogolak zu haben.

Am Sommer von 1969, Muehlmann hat eine Probe mit der Cincinnati Bengals der American Football League und einen Vertrag bekommt. Die frueher Bundesliga Fussballspieler ist einer der besten Kicker in der AFL sofort fuer die Bengals, die nicht schlecht sind. In dem naechsten Jahr kommen die zwei AFL und NFL Ligen zusammen, aber alles ist das selbe fuer Muehlmann.

=====================================

=====================================

Muehlmann ist eine echte Waffe fuer den Angriff der Cincinnati Bengals, weil er sehr genau ist und von weit treten koennen. Er hat ein Rekord gemacht, dass lebt doch noch heute in der National Football League. Muehlmann hat mindestens ein Field Goal aus ueber 50 Yards in drei aufeinanderfolgenden Spielen gemacht.

In diesen Tag, ein Field Goal aus ueber 50 Yards sehr lang und schwierig war … bis heute, nur drei andere Spieler in der Geschichte der NFL dass auch (drei aufeinanderfolgenden Spiele mit drei lange Field Goal) getroffen hat.

Muehlmann hat sechs Jahre mit der Cincinnati Bengals gespielt und dann wechselte zu der Philadelphia Eagles in 1975, wo drei Saisons bleibt er.

=======================================================

=======================================================
Nein, dass ich nicht in dem Foto ist. Aber es sieht ein bischen als mich von jenen Tag aus. Und es ist zweifellos ehemalige Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen Torhueter HORST MUEHLMANN (16) mit einem jungen Fan waehrend des Training Camps mit der Philadelphia Eagles in der National Football League. (Mann kann sehen, mit dem Trikot des Kickers das Jahr ist 1975)
=======================================================

1971 ist der ehemalige SK Rapid Wien Stuermer und oesterreichische Nationalmannschaftspieler TONI FRITSCH zu der starken Dallas Cowboys gekommen, aber dass ist ein andere Geschichte fuer ein andere Tag…

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 0 – Bayern Munich 2

================================================================
Germany World Cup defensive midfielder BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER of visiting Bayern Munich (right) runs away from Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s veteran Spain international striker RAUL GONZALEZ during the much-anticipated “Homecoming Game” Bundesliga match at the sold-out Veltins Arena in North Rhine Westphalia.
================================================================

9/18/11
Bundesliga
Spieltag # 6

0 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen
2 – Bayern Munich —————————— Petersen 21′, Mueller 75′

Despite the absence of two of their most devastating weapons, the record German champions were still able to completely control the match with stifling defense and patient possession of the ball as visiting BAYERN MUNICH efficiently shut down SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN 2-0 to stay top of the Bundesliga.

The match before a capactiy crowd of 61,673 at the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia marked the emotion-filled return of Bayern Munich goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER to face his former employers. As is well-known, the 25-year-old Germany World Cup shot-stopper literally grew up with Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, having first started playing in the club’s youth system at the age of five. But, this summer, Neuer had been sold to Bayern Munich in exchange for the pricey transfer fee of 18.0 million Euros.

Suffice to say, the Schalke 04 supporters remain somewhat less than impressed with the transaction.

Meanwhile, Germany international striker MARIO GOMEZ, the reigning Bundesliga Torjaegermeister who also leads the German first division again with eight goals this season, joined Holland World Cup winger ARJEN ROBBEN on the disabled list and was replaced in the Bayern Munich Startelf by fomer Germany U-21 international NILS PETERSEN, who led the 2.Bundesliga in scoring last term with 25 goals for FC Energie Cottbus.

================================================================

================================================================
Brazil international right back RAFINHA of Bayern Munich, who was on the books for five years and made 158 appearances in the top flight with the Royal Blues before transferring to Italian Serie A side CFC Genoa in August of 2010, gets his boot up high on Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s Holland World Cup striker KLAUS-JAN HUNTELAAR (25) during the Bundesliga match at the Veltins Arena in central western Germany.
================================================================

Petersen sent Bayern Munich to the lead in the 22nd minute after a long run through midfield by France World Cup winger FRANCK RIBERY. Taking a pass on the right, the 22-year-old striker had his initial shot partially blocked by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s advancing goalkeeper RALF FAEHRMANN. But the 22-year-old netminder did not get down quite quick enough and the ball managed to squirt underneath and through.

Peterson was able to pick up the ball on the other side and, despite the best efforts of Schalke 04′s sliding midfielder PEER KLUGE, find the back of the net to score his second goal in as many Bundesliga matches for Bayern Munich.

Holland World Cup striker KLAUS-JAN HUNTELAAR, who has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season for die Koenigsblauen, had two standout opportunities to bring the home side level shortly thereafter but shot wide on each occasion; the Bavarian goalkeeper Neuer had the first effort covered comfortably but would not have been able to do anything about the second, which missed only narrowly.

Germany World Cup winger THOMAS MUELLER sealed matters in the 75th minute with his first Bundesliga goal of this season for Bayern Munich. The currently in-form Ribery had combined with Austria international DAVID ALABA, the 19-year-old who came on as a second half substitute for Petersen, on the right flank and played a ball that Schalke 04′s 19-year-old Greece international midfielder KYRIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS totally flubbed. On hand in the center was Mueller, who lashed the ball past the helpless Faehrmann to score his first goal since the D.F.B. Pokal match against Eintracht Braunschweig to open the new season on the first day of August.

================================================================

================================================================
Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER of Bayern Munich, who has posted nine clean sheets from ten matches in all competitions for the Bavarian club this season, jogs with the ball next to his former club teammate, Peru international winger JEFFERSON FAFRAN (left) of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, during the Bundesliga match at the sold-out Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia.
================================================================

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Faehrmann – Uchida, Hoewedes, Matip, Fuchs – Papadopoulos, Kluge (Draxler 57′) – Farfan, Raul, Holtby (Marica 84′) – Huntelaar (Pukki 66′)

BAYERN MUNICH : Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Badstuber, Lahm – Luiz Gustavo (Tymoshchuk 43′), Schweinsteiger – Mueller, Kroos (Contento 90+1′), Ribery – Petersen (Alaba 71′)

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

Photo Gallery : ‘Nice’ Homecoming Game For Goalkeeper Neuer

================================================================
Leading the visiting Bayern Munich team out of the tunnel just prior to the start of the Bundesliga match with Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER surely noticed at least some, if not all, of the rather less-than-friendly signs welcoming the former netminder for die Koenigsblauen back to the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia.
================================================================

================================================================
“WIR TRAUERN UM M. NEUER” … “we mourn M.Neuer”
================================================================

================================================================

================================================================
“BAYERN PEINLICH” … “Bayern embarrassing”
================================================================

================================================================
“AUF (x) FUER KOHLE GEBOREN?” … “On (x) for coal born?”
================================================================

================================================================
“WENN ARSCHLOECHER FLIEGEN KOENNTEN, DANN WAERE GANZ FC BAYERN EIN FLUGHAFEN” … “If assholes could fly, then FC Bayern would be a whole airport”
================================================================

================================================================
“CHARAKTERLOSE” means “characterless” … “ULI’s NEUERSTE HURE” would basically be “Uli’s newest whore”.
================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================

================================================================
Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER, who had spent his entire career with die Koenigsblauen until an 18.0 million Euro transfer to Bayern Munich this past summer, and Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen shot-stopper RALF FAEHRMANN, who returned to the Royal Blues on a free transfer after two seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt, exchange pleasantries after the Bundesliga match at the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday.

Spieler Bericht : Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 2011/12

================================================================
The seemingly-ageless Spain international striker RAUL GONZALEZ, leading goal-getter in the illustrious history of both La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid as well as the UEFA European Cup/Champions League, started all 34 games and scored 13 goals for Schalke 04 his first season in the Bundesliga after arriving in Gelsenkirchen on a free transfer in the summer of 2010.
================================================================

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN, long one of the most popular football clubs in all of Germany, have at their disposal two genuine international class strikers who are capable of scoring goals at the highest level. Holland World Cup striker KLAUS-JAN HUNTELAAR currently tops Schalke 04 with four goals from the first five Bundesliga matches and has added another four goals from three games in Europe to start this new season. 34-year-old veteran RAUL, who racked up 44 goals in 102 internationals for Spain earlier in his career, led die Koenigsblauen in scoring last season and has notched three goals in the German top flight thus far this term.

It will be interesting to see how the pair are deployed by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen trainer RALF RANGNICK against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Sunday; it could very well be that Raul will play behind Huntelaar more like an attacking central midfielder, as the aging Spaniard has already done a few times this season.

Schalke 04 added 25-year-old Romania international striker CIPRIAN MARICA, who scored 10 goals in 25 Bundesliga games for Vfb Stuttgart two seasons ago, on a free transfer this summer but have recently sent two forwards others on their way. After appearing as a substitute for die Koenigsblauen in the Bundesliga opener against Vfb Stuttgart, the 29-year-old Brazilian attacker EDU was loaned out for the season to Turkish Super Lig club JK Beskitas of Istanbul. And 21-year-old Switzerland international MARIO GAVRANOVIC has been farmed out to FSV 05 Mainz.

On the last day of August, the Royal Blues signed Finland international TEEMU PUKKI from HJK Helsinki for the transfer fee of 1.5 million Euros; the promising 21-year-old striker had scored both of his team’s goals in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff tie with Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen earlier that month.

================================================================

================================================================
Germany international midfielder LEWIS HOLTBY (10) observes as Holland World Cup striker KLAUS-JAN HUNTELAAR (25), who scored 13 goals for die Koenigsblauen in all competitions following a 12.0 million Euro transfer from Italian Serie A giant AC Milan on the last day of August in 2010, shoots the first of his four goals for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen against visiting Finnish side HJK Helsinki during the second leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff tie this past August at the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia.
================================================================

Peru international JEFFERSON FARFAN, entering his fourth year of German football, slumped to three goals in the Bundesliga after scoring 17 times his first two seasons. The 26-year-old playmaker still easily led Schalke 04 with nine assists in the top flight last term, however. Farfan did not feature in the first four matches of this season but has regained his regular place on the right for the Royal Blues and has two helpers in three Bundesliga games to begin the 2011-12 campaign.

21-year old Czech Republic international midfielder JAN MORAVEK, who scored five goals in 29 Bundesliga games while out on loan to 1.FC Kaiserslautern last season, had begun this season in the Startelf for Schalke 04 on the right but has given way.

Soon-to-be 22-year-old Germany international LEWIS HOLTBY, who totaled four goals and nine assists while out on loan last season at surprising FSV 05 Mainz, and 19-year-old Greece international KYRIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS, who made 18 appearances his first term in the Bundesliga after transferring from Olympiakos Piraeus, have been turning out in defensive midfield for die Koenigsblauen as of late.

Still only 17-year-old Germany U-21 international midfielder JULIAN DRAXLER, who scored the first goal in Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s heavy 5-0 defeat of MSV Duisburg in the German Cup Final last spring, seems determined to establish himself on the left and has appeared in all nine games for the Royal Blues this season; 24-year-old ALEXANDER BAUMJOHANN, who made three Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich two years ago, is another pushing for a place in the Schalke 04 Startelf.

One-time Spanish U-21 international midfielder JOSE JURADO, who was acquired from Atletico Madrid for the transfer fee of 13.0 million Euros in at the end of August in 2010, has made just one substitute appearance for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen in the last four matches. United States international JERMAINE JONES, the 29-year-old who finished last season on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League, started the Bundesliga opener against Vfb Stuttgart but has not appeared in any competition since. 30-year-old veteran midfielder PEER KLUGE has not played at all.

================================================================

================================================================
Peru international winger JEFFERSON FARFAN, who has scored 12 goals in 48 appearances for his country, was acquired by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen from Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven for the considerable transfer fee of 10.0 million Euros in June of 2008; while in Holland, Farfan had scored 57 goals from 118 Eredivisie contests over four years for the Boeren.
================================================================

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s new starting goalkeeper this season injured ankle ligaments in the 2-1 loss to Vfl Wolfburg last week in the Bundesliga but, nevertheless, 22-year-old RALF FAEHRMANN did appear for die Koenigsblauen in the UEFA Europa League against FC Rapid Bucharest on Thursday in Romania and is expected to start opposite Bayern Munich on Saturday.

30-year-old CHRISTOPH METZELDER has played all of 13 minutes in the first five games this season on account of a calf strain but could be called into the first team again against the Bavarians. The 30-year-old veteran with 47 caps for Germany left Spanish La Liga side Real Madrid with Raul two summers ago and started 32 times for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen in the Bundesliga last season. Plugging the gap in central defense has been the versatile 20-year-old Cameroon World Cup midfielder JOEL MATIP.

Austria international defender CHRISTIAN FUCHS, the 25-year-old left back who spent last term out on loan with FSV 05 Mainz, was the most expensive acquisition of the summer for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, having been bought from Vfl Bochum for the transfer fee of 3.8 million Euros. The Royal Blues also snared 22-year-old MARCO HOEGER from 2.Bundesliga club Alemannia Aachen in exchange for 1.5 million Euros this summer. Both have been regulars on the flanks at the back for Rangnick thus far, with Hoeger making it particularly hard for 23-year-old Japan World Cup defender ATSUTO UCHIDA to find a place.

The anchor on the back line for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen is central defender BENEDIKT HOEWEDES, the 23-year-old who earned the first of his three caps for Germany in the friendly international with Uruguay last May; on the bench for die Koenigsblauen are the aging 34-year-old Ghana World Cup defender HANS SARPEI and 22-year-old Spanish left back SERGIO ESCUDERO.

================================================================

================================================================
RALF FAEHRMANN, who began his professional career with the Royal Blues and has returned on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt, is replacing Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER, who was sold to Bayern Munich for the hefty transfer fee of 18.0 million Euros, as first choice for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen between the sticks this season in the Bundesliga.
================================================================

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN
========================

Arriving
—————
gk – Ralf FAEHRMANN ——————————— fr Eintracht Frankfurt
df – Christian FUCHS – Austria int’l ————— fr Vfl Bochum
df – Marco HOEGER ————————————– fr Alemannia Aachen
mf – Lewis HOLTBY – Germany int’l ————– fr FSV 05 Mainz
mf – Jan MORAVEK – Czech Rep int’l ———— fr 1.FC Kaiserslautern
mf – Jermaine JONES – United States int’l —– fr Blackburn Rovers (Eng)
fw – Ciprian MARICA – Romania int’l ———— fr Vfb Stuttgart
fw – Teemu PUKKI – Finland int’l —————— fr HJK Helsinki (Fin)

(Holtby and Moravek had been out on loan for the 2010-11 season; Jones had been out on loan since last January)

Departing
—————–
gk – Manuel NEUER – Germany int’l ————— to Bayern Munich
df – Christian PANDER – Germany int’l ———- to Hannover 96
df – Nicolas PLESTAN – France ———————- released
mf – Mohammad ALI KARIMI – Iran int’l ——- to FC Persepolis (Iran)
mf – Junmin HAO – China int’l ————————- to FC Shangdong Luneng (Chn)
mf – Anthony ANNAN – Ghana int’l —————- to Vitesse Arnhem (Hol)
mf – Ciprian DEAC – Romania int’l —————— to FC Rapid Bucharest (Rom)
mf – Vasileios PLIATSIKAS – Greece int’l ——- to MSV Duisburg
mf – Lukas SCHMITZ ————————————– to SV Werder Bremen
mf – DANILO AVELAR – Brazil ———————– to FC Karpaty Lviv (Ukr)
fw – Angelos CHARISTEAS – Greece int’l ——- to GFS Panetolikos Agrinio (Gre)
fw – EDU – Brazil ——————————————— to JK Beskitas Istanbul (Trk)
fw – Mario GAVRANOVIC – Switzerland int’l — to FSV 05 Mainz

(Danilo Avilar had been out on loan from FC Karpaty Lviv; Annan, Deac, Edu, Gavranovic, and Pliatsikas are all out on loan for the 2011-12 season)

================================================================

================================================================

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 3 – CF Valencia 1

========================================================
One-time Germany U-21 international defender BENEDIKT HOEWEDES (4) of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen attempts to dispossess CF Valencia’s Spain World Cup reserve winger JUAN MATA (10) during the decisive Champions League match at the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westhphalia. (Frank Augstein/AP)
========================================================

UEFA Champions League
Round of 16, second leg
3/09/2011

3 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen (GER) ——— Farfan 40′, 90+4′, Gavranovic 52′
1 – CF Valencia (SPA) ——————————– Ricardo Costa 17′

Three unanswered strikes after the concession of an early goal allowed home-standing German Bundesliga side SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN to post an emotional 3-1 victory over visiting Spanish La Liga side CF VALENCIA in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 knockout tie.

Less than twenty minutes were required for CF Valencia, currently running third in the domestic top flight, to cancel out Schalke 04′s away goal in Spain and take an early lead as Portugal World Cup defender RICARDO COSTA nodded home the driven cross of Turkey international midfielder MEHMET TOPAL.

CF Valencia might have built on that advantage in the first half but for two fine defensive plays by Schalke 04′s Germany international defender CHRISTOPH METZELDER, the 30-year-old veteran who signed with the Royal Blues on a free transfer from La Liga giant Real Madrid this past summer.

Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, plodding along in tenth place under embattled trainer FELIX MAGATH in the Bundesliga this season, pulled level with five minutes to go before the break via a well-taken, curling free kick from just beyond the penalty arc by Peru international winger JEFFERSON FARFAN.

========================================================

========================================================
A pair of second half substitutes meet as former Greece U-21 international defender KYRIAKOS PAPADOPOULOS (14) of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen slides in to tackle the ball away from CF Valencia’s Argentine midfielder TINO COSTA (24), a 6.5 million Euro signing from French Ligue 1 side HSC Montpellier this past summer, at the Veltins Arena in western Germany. (Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images)
========================================================

Farfan was involved in the go-ahead goal for Schalke 04 seven minutes into the second stanza, as well, and fired in a shot after picking up the ball from a scramble in the box.

CF Valencia goalkeeper VINCENTE GUAITA blocked Farfan’s effort, but the rebound fell straight for Switzerland U-21 international striker MARIO GAVRANOVIC, who was able to sweep the ball in off of both goalposts to score his first-ever senior goal for Schalke 04 at a most opportune time.

Gavranovic, starting up front in place of injured Holland international striker KLAUS-JAN HUNTELAAR, has made just seven appearances for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen in the German top flight since arriving from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax in February of 2010; the youngster might have added a second goal but was twice denied, once by the post and again by the crossbar.

In the fourth minute of injury time and Valencia having thrown everyone forward looking for the equalizer, Farfan settled a long clearance and strolled in to chip Guaita. The Peru international, who was bought from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for a reported 10.0 million Euros in the summer of 2008, has just three goals on 21 appearances in the Bundesliga this term after scoring 17 goals his first two campaigns in Germany. But, the brace has pushed the 26-year-old winger into top spot with four strikes for die Koenigsblauen in Europe this season.

========================================================

========================================================
Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER, who has collected three clean sheets and not allowed more than one goal in any of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s nine UEFA Champions League games this season, punches the ball away against Spanish La Liga side CF Valenica at the Veltins Arena in North Rhine-Westphalia. (Juergen Schwarz/DAPD)
========================================================

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Neuer – Uchida, Hoewedes, Metzelder, Escudero – Kluge (Sarpei 81′), Matip (Papadopoulos 60′) – Farfan, Jurado (Draxler 76′) – Raul, Gavranovic

CF Valenica : Guaita – Bruno, Navarro, Ricardo Costa, Mathieu – Banega (Tino Costa 70′), Topal – Joaquin, Pablo (Soldado 64′), Mata – Aduriz (Jonas 74′)

========================================================

========================================================
(Frank Augstein/AP)
========================================================

========================================================
(Martin Meissner/AP)
========================================================

========================================================
(Juergen Schwarz/DAPD)
========================================================

========================================================
(Frank Augstein/AP)
========================================================

========================================================
(Frank Augstein/AP)
========================================================

========================================================
(Martin Meissner/AP)
========================================================

========================================================
(Juergen Schwarz/DAPD)

Schalke 04 Shuts Down Bayern Munich In DFB Semifinal

========================================================

DFB POKAL
Semifinal
3/2/2011

0 – Bayern Munich
1 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen ———— Raul 15′

An early goal off a set piece combined with diligent as well as organized defending enabled visiting SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN to knock out the current holders BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 and reach the Finale of the Deutscher Fussball Bund Pokal.

The result also allowed Schalke 04 to claim revenge for the 1-0 loss in extra time to Bayern Munich at this exact same stage of last year’s German Cup competition and marked the first time the Bavarians had lost a DFB Pokal match at home in nearly 20 years.

Not since FC Homburg defeated Bayern Munich 4-2 after extra time in August of 1991 had the proud, record 15-times DFB Pokal champion lost a German Cup match at home — a run of 24 consecutive victories by the Bavarians was, thus, snapped by Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen.

Schalke 04 shocked the sellout crowd of 69,000 at the Allianz Arena only a quarter of an hour into the match. A corner kick from Peru international winger JEFFERSON FARFAN was headed by former Germany U-21 international center back BENEDIKT HOEWEDES straight into the path of Spain international striker RAUL GONZALEZ, who deftly nodded the ball into the upper corner and left Bayern Munich goalkeeper THOMAS KRAFT no chance.

Schalke 04 could have added a second ten minutes before the halftime whistle but the unlucky Hoewedes saw his header cleared off the line.

The second half was all Bayern Munich, but a lack of finishing and a resolute Schalke 04 team effort frustrated the home side to the end. France World Cup winger FRANCK RIBERY, who has yet to score a goal since the conclusion of the Winterpause, had a couple of clear cut chances in the late stages. The second, a drive from just beyond the penalty spot with roughly three minutes remaining, was directed straight at Schalke 04′s Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER, unfortunately for the Bavarians.

========================================================

========================================================

BAYERN MUNICH : Kraft – Lahm, Tymoshchuk (Kroos 59′), Breno, Pranjic – Luiz Gustavo (van Buyten 82′), Schweinsteiger – Robben, Mueller (Klose 77′), Ribery – Gomez

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Neuer – Uchida, Hoewedes, Metzelder, Sarpei (Schmitz 82′) – Matip – Kluge, Annan (Papadopoulos 89′) – Jurado (Draxler 61′), Farfan – Raul

========================================================

========================================================
(Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
========================================================

========================================================
(Oliver Lang/dapd)
========================================================

========================================================
(Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
========================================================

========================================================
(Oliver Lang/dapd)
========================================================

========================================================
(Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
========================================================

========================================================
(Christof Stache/AFP)
========================================================
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

CF Valencia 1 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen 1

========================================================
Turkey international midfielder MEHMET TOPAL (5) of CF Valencia, who was purchased by the Spanish club from Super Lig side SK Galatasaray for 5.5 million Euros last May, moves to avoid the sliding tackle of Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s 30-year-old veteran midfielder PEER KLUGE at the aging Estadio Mestalla in the Mediterranean port city on the east coast of Espana. (Alberto Saiz/AP)
========================================================

UEFA Champions League
Round of 16
2/15/2011

1 – CF Valencia (SPA) ———————————– Soldado 17′
1 – Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen (GER) ———— Raul 63′

A record-setting, second half equalizer earned visiting German Bundesliga club SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN an important 1-1 draw opposite Spanish La Liga outfit CF VALENCIA in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 knockout tie.

Spain international striker ROBERTO SOLDADO, a summer purchase of 10.0 million Euros from CF Getafe, gave CF Valencia a 17th minute advantage after volleying home the cross of the overlapping French defender JEREMY MATHIEU.

Els Toranjo, through a combination of poor finishing and the fine work of Germany World Cup goalkeeper MANUEL NEUER in net for Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen, failed to add a second goal for all their dominance in the opening forty-five minutes, however.

The returning Spain international striker RAUL GONZALEZ, who spent 16 seasons with Real Madrid before signing on to play in the Bundesliga this season, gave CF Valencia cause for regret with a goal to pull Schalke 04 level three minutes after the hour.

Another player back native soil, former Spain U-21 international midfielder JOSE MANUEL JURADO, supplied the ball for his countryman to control and roll into the net low, far post. Raul, the leading scorer for Schalke 04 with 10 goals in the German top flight this term, registered his third goal in Europe for the Royal Blues this season with the equalizer against old La Liga adversary CF Valencia. The 71st goal in all European club competitions also sets a new record for the accomplished veteran Spanish striker.

The result gives Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen the benefit of a vital away goal heading into the return match at the Veltins Arena in Germany.

=======================================================

=======================================================
With Portugal World Cup fullback MIGUEL (Luis Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro) of CF Valencia lagging behind, Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen’s late substitute, China international midfielder JUNG-MIN HAO (8), unleashes a dangerous shot during time added on at the Estadio Mestalla. (Heino Kalis/Reuters)
=======================================================

CF VALENCIA : Guaita – Miguel, Navarro, Ricardo Costa, Mathieu (Alba 79′) – Topal – Banega (Vicente 68′), Dominguez (Joaquin 68′), Tino Costa – Soldado, Aduriz

SCHALKE 04 GELSENKIRCHEN : Neuer – Uchida, Hoewedes, Metzelder, Schmitz – Kluge, Matip – Farfan (Draxler 78′), Jurado (Edu 83′) – Raul, Huntelaar (Hao 90′)

======================================================

======================================================
(Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images)
========================================================

========================================================
(Jose Jordan/AFP/Getty Images)
========================================================

========================================================
(Heino Kalis/Reuters)
=========================================

=========================================
Two former employees of CF Real Madrid, Spain international strikers both, greet each other following the UEFA Champions League game between host CF Valencia and visiting Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen at the venerable Estadio Mestalla in the Mediterranean port city. (Paul White/AP)