Frankfurt down Schalke

Lucas Piazon's second goal of the season broke Schalke's five-game unbeaten run under Roberto Di Matteo in Saturday's late Bundesliga encounter.

The Brazilian, on loan from English Premier League side Chelsea, headed the ball over youngster Timon Wellenreuther in the 64th minute to seal the points for the Eagles on Thomas Schaaf's 500th Bundesliga game as a coach.

After previous victories, Di Matteo was criticized for his side's overly-defensive football and he continued with an unchanged team that included a five-man backline. But Frankfurt were equally wary of the counterattack as the early exchanges were largely back-and-forth without any concrete scoring situations.

Schalke peppered Kevin Trapp's goal with some warning shots in the first-half. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting had the ball in the net but was ruled offside, before Trapp came out sharply to deny Christian Fuchs who was left nursing a sore shoulder.

However, after the break, Frankfurt asserted some pressure of their own towards Wellenreuther's goal with Schaaf's men breaking the resolute Schalke defense after the hour mark. Timothy Chandler whipped in a cross from the right and substitute Piazon was left unmarked in the box and he glanced the ball over the outstretched keeper.

Although Sidney Sam and 18-year-old Felix Platte, who made his Bundesliga debut, were introduced towards the end, Frankfurt had more chances to land the contest-ending blow. Piazon was presented with a few chances, but the home side prevailed with just the single goal and closed the gap on the host of Europe-chasing teams above them.

Meanwhile, Schalke's focus turns to Wednesday's Champions League meeting with holders Real Madrid before a tough double-header in the league against the in-form Werder Bremen and rivals Borussia Dortmund.