After 5 straight defeats, Schalke finally prevail
berlin — Schalke finally got off the mark in the Bundesliga on Sunday with three goals in six minutes as they thrashed visiting Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-0.
Schalke lost their first five league games under new coach Markus Weinzierl, but had shown some promise with wins in the German Cup and Europa League.
‘Gladbach, who lost 2-1 midweek at home to Barcelona in the Champions League, missed the chance to go second on goal difference from Hertha Berlin, which is three points behind leader Bayern Munich.
The game sparked to life after the interval when Andre Hahn saw his effort pushed onto the post by Schalke ‘keeper Ralph Faehrmann. From then on it was all Schalke.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting fell in a challenge from Ibrahima Traore to earn a debatable penalty, dusted himself off and duly converted from the spot to open the scoring in the 52nd.
Sead Kolasinac crossed for club-record signing Breel Embolo to score his first Bundesliga goal four minutes later and Leon Goretzka scored two minutes after that, converting the rebound after Yann Sommer saved Choupo-Moting’s initial effort.
Embolo, a $25 million summer signing from Swiss side Basel, wrapped up the rout with his second goal seven minutes from time.
“It’s a huge weight off our shoulders,” Weinzierl said.
Schalke’s poor start was baffling with much expected of the side after its summer overhaul.
Christian Heidel, highly regarded for his work at former side Mainz, had taken over as sporting director and Weinzierl was employed as coach. Weinzierl highlighted his coaching capabilities in four successful seasons at modest Augsburg.