FC Schalke 04 managed only a 1:1 draw in the 2. Bundesliga at SpVgg Greuther Fürth but reclaimed the top spot in the table. Dennis Srbeny put the hosts ahead early, with Dejan Ljubicic equalizing via a long-range shot.
In Fürth, FC Schalke 04, the table leaders, faced relegation candidates SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The Gelsenkirchen side, coached by Miron Muslic, settled for a 1:1 (0:1) draw after two straight wins and missed the opportunity to pull away from rivals. The top of the table remains tight: Just two points separate first from fifth place.
The hosts started boldly, building from the back but occasionally endangering themselves against Schalke's pressing. In the 9th minute, Edin Dzeko had Schalke's first chance, but his lob was saved by Silas Prüfrock. Moments later, in the 12th minute, Dennis Srbeny capitalized on an unchallenged cross from Branimir Hrgota to poke the ball in for 1:0. Schalke's central defender Nikola Katic was too far from Srbeny.
Schalke remained toothless for much of the game against the league's weakest defense. In the 32nd minute, Hasan Kurucay narrowly missed an equalizer with a header. After halftime, the Royals took control. Ljubicic missed from a good position in the 57th minute. A potential 2:0 for Fürth in the 67th was disallowed for offside against Srbeny.
In the 75th minute, Dejan Ljubicic saved a point for Schalke with a spectacular 26-meter strike under the bar to make it 1:1. Fürth stay bottom of the table but can take pride in their spirited performance.
