SCHALKE MATCHDAY 31: vs. KAISERSLAUTERN

With four matchdays left to play, Schalke are pretty much locked into their bottom half of the table standing while Kaiserslautern are in the middle of a tight race for a chance at promotion.

Kaiserslautern, who early this week announced their coaching change as Markus Anfang was released and Torsion Lieberknecht was announced as his replacement.

As Kaiserslautern welcome Schalke this week. In the 1st leg back in November Kaiserslautern beat Schalke 3-0.

Schalke make the change as Schalke's Captain Kenan Karaman will miss two matches from his red card last week and Bachmann comes in to his place.

The match kicks off and already from the start Kaiserslautern are looking to feed the ball to their star striker Ragnar Ache, as in the 2nd minute the cross the ball to him but Heekeren comes out to grab the ball before he gets a chance at it.

Schalke gets a chance in the 17th minute but Bachmann's chance in the box goes way up over the crossbar.

Schalke are still alert and it is Heekeren again to make a save in the 23rd minute as the Ache breaks into the keepers box and tries to get the ball past Heekeren but he blocks the ball and makes a great save.

In the 25th minute it is Ache again with a chance and Heekeren is there again to answer the call denying Ache again this time with a diving save to keep the match scoreless.

In the 34th minute Ache breaks through on the right side and chips the ball over Heekeren, but the Schalke defender covers his keeper and toe pokes the ball away and it rolls away from goal just past the post.

The home side have been pushing and in the 35th minute it is another attempt by Ache at goal and Heekeren makes the save on Ache's header but with Heekeren's finger tip diving save on that ball, it clears to the feet of Daisuke Yokota and he puts the ball into a empty side of the goal.

KAISERSLAUTERN 1 - SCHALKE 0

Heekeren has had Ache's number all match so far but the home side is finally on the board.

In the 42nd minute it is the battle that has been happening all match and it is Ache vs. Heekeren again, this time it is a shot by Ache and Heekeren makes another diving save to keep Ache off the score sheet.

HALF-TIME

KAISERSLAUTERN 1 - SCHALKE 0

A great battle in this match as Heekeren and Ache have been battling through the first half.

Right from the kickoff Kaiserslautern attack and Ache passes the ball to Hanslik and his quick attempt in close is saved by Heekeren who was very alert to start the match and not get caught off guard.

Ache again comes down the side and now is attempt is missing Heekeren completely as his shot goes over the crossbar.

Schalke and Kaiserslautern have been battling and in the 61st minute it is Schalke that create a chance infront of the Kaiserslautern goal and the ball gets loose in front and Sylla slides in and is able to knock the ball into the back of the net and Schalke have equalized.

KAISERSLAUTERN 1 - SCHALKE 1

With that Sylla ties Ache for goals scored this season with both players now at 16.

The battle continues and Ache breaks through and at the 73rd minute he finally gets a ball passed Heekeren, but the VAR check calls the goal off as Ache is just offside upon receiving the pass.

But Ache will not be denied and a few minutes later in the 77th minute he finally gets the upper hand on a great battle all match, Ache receiving the ball and with pace gets past Kaminski and unleashes a shot with Kaminski hanging on his arm and his blast finally beats Heekeren and the home side take the lead.

KAISERSLAUTERN 2 - SCHALKE 1

Murkin holds and stops a surging Ache and will be shown a yellow card which is his fifth of the season and Murkin will miss the next match.

Ache is not done yet and in the 91st minute he takes another chance at goal but his shot is far off the target and goes far left.

FULL TIME

KAISERSLAUTERN 2 - SCHALKE 1

With that outcome Kaiserslautern are back into the race for the promotion spot. As Kaiserslautern now joins the four teams all with 49 points.

All chasing the 3rd place team Magdeburg that is at 50 points and rounding out the top two with Hamburg at 53 and league leaders Köln at 54.

Another year and what looks like another incredible battle for promotion to the top teir.

Schalke are still sitting in 13th spot and mathematical almost safe as their are 9 points away from the relegation playoff zone with 3 matches left to play in the season.

Next up for Schalke a Friday match vs. Paderborn, who are one of the teams now tied with Kaiserslautern sitting with the 49 points.