Slide continues for Schalke after Bittencourt’s super strike for Bremen

Schalke would not be alone in regretting the direction 2020 has taken, but it has been a terrible year for them.

They began it level on points with Borussia Dortmund. Now they are on their longest winless run this century in the Bundesliga.

Such is their plight that a home defeat to a Werder Bremen side who could be demoted almost felt a formality.

For Werder, it represented a lifeline. Leonardo Bittencourt’s spectacular winner means they have now taken seven points from three games.

Their run on the road gives the club with the worst home record in the Bundesliga a chance to extend their 39-year stay in the top flight.

They had more conviction throughout and defended stoically in the second half. Instead, these are worrying days for another of Germany’s historic giants.

Schalke have now lost to two relegation-threatened teams in successive matches. They only have one point from eight games, two goals in nine and no wins in 11.

They have insisted that David Wagner will be in charge next season but every setback suggests his position must be more perilous. Before long, a byword for change could have a 20th different manager, whether caretaker or permanent, since 2002 alone.

Schalke have financial difficulties and footballing troubles. They have been the Bundesliga’s worst side since its resumption, losing first a Europa League place and now a top-half spot.

They have lost Amine Harit and Suat Serder, their two top scorers, and their penetration.

In contrast, Werder conjured a wonderful goal. Injury meant Bittencourt departed at half time. Before then, however, he and Davy Klaassen combined to dispossess Jean-Clair Todibo on the half-way line.

Bittencourt advanced to unleash an unstoppable shot. Alexander Nubel was beaten on his comeback.

Wagner had recalled the Bayern Munich-bound goalkeeper, who was dropped and stripped of the captaincy after announcing his summer departure.

His rookie deputy Markus Schubert had been too error prone. While Nubel was blameless for the goal, his return did not produce a clean sheet.

Perhaps he was the only one who was not culpable for an abominable first-half performance. Schalke were devoid of confidence and ambition and often possession, camped in their own half when at home to opponents who are dicing with the drop.

They did not have a shot of any variety until Weston McKennie headed wide in the 37th minute.

The American is Schalke’s sole scorer in their barren spell and was the anomaly, the lone man threatening to make anything happen.

His surprise substitution, with 35 minutes remaining, may have been designed to spare him a red card but cost Schalke some dynamism.

Wagner made a double change at half time as well as switching formation.

Initially, it made a difference. Jiri Pavlenka made his lone save to deny the substitute Benito Raman troubled him.

Michael Gregoritsch volleyed over though the out-of-sorts striker was immediately taken off. But Werder continued to defend with great determination, securing a third successive clean sheet and what might prove a vital victory.