Bundesliga: Sane the difference for Schalke

Hamburg 0-1 Schalke
(Sane 60')

In a rather tepid late match on Saturday evening, Leroy Sane once again proved the difference as Schalke overcame Hamburg in a close game that could and perhaps should have ended in a draw. Pierre-Michel Lasogga missed a great chance late on to secure a point for the home side as Hamburg suffered their first home defeat under head coach Bruno Labaddia.

As early as the opening minute, lone striker Franco di Santo saw a header tipped onto the bar by Jaroslav Drobny but the rest of the opening half an hour passed without much incident. Leroy Sane broke into the box, but was let down by his first touch as both sides threatened but didn't deliver. Despite being the visitors, Schalke looked the more likely to score. Bruno Labbadia's men, on the other hand, struggled to get a grip on proceedings. Michael Gregoritsch broke through but his pass right to Aaron Hunt was a poor piece of judgment, with Matthias Ostrzolek unmarked to his left.

Ten minutes before the break, Sane's low drive forced a good diving save from Drobny but it was too little from both sides. With that in mind, Hamburg came out in the second half determined to change that. Lewis Holtby blazed over, but Hamburg's momentum was stopped in its tracks when referee Dr. Jochen Drees had to be replaced by Marco Fritz due to a thigh injury. The pause in play proved costly for Hamburg, too, as Schalke scored the decisive goal soon after. A poor kick from Drobny saw Leon Goretzka drive forward and slip through Leroy Sane. The 19-year-old rounded the keeper to slot home his third goal in three games.

Goretzka mistimed a header that would have sealed the contest, leaving Schalke in for a nervy finale. Hamburg pressed for the equalizer and eight minutes from time they should have got it. Pierre-Michel Lasogga timed his run to meet an in-swinging corner, but the ball hit his shoulder rather than his head and the chance was gone.

Schalke's fifth win in a row leaves them level on points with arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund, who play on Sunday against Darmstadt.