With all of the Bundesliga’s title challengers picking up positive results on Saturday, the pressure was on Schalke and Mainz to at least keep pace. Elsewhere, Freiburg hosted Gladbach. Let’s get to the results!

Mainz 0 – 1 Schalke 04

Thomas Tuchel’s side continue to slip, but this time at the hands of a resurgent Schalke side. The game was full of drama and controversial incidents, but justice was done in the end and Schalke deserved all three points. After just eight minutes, Fuchs fouled Farfan in the area and a penalty was awarded to Schalke. Huntelaar stepped up to take it, but the Dutch striker smashed his effort onto the post. I still can’t understand why Raul didn’t take it! On the half hour mark, Schalke made their mark through Jefferson Farfan, who hammered the ball through a maze of Mainz defenders after a fortunate rebound off of the back of Raul. With about 20 minutes left on the clock, Sami Allagui dived for a penalty and got it. Schalke were going to be robbed of a deserved three points, but justice prevailed and Manuel Neuer made the save. Farfan’s goal was enough to secure the three points for Schalke, but they’ve still got lots of work to do if they want to save their Bundesliga season. Mainz, on the other hand, could well finish in mid-table if this keeps up. They look ready for the winter break.

Highlights!

SC Freiburg 3 – 0 Borussia Monchengladbach

In the preview for this match, I wrote that if Papiss Cisse was given the service he needs, Gladbach would be in serious trouble. Well, he got the service, and he scored a brace and Gladbach stay bottom. They need to sort it out or they’ll be relegated by March the way things are going right now. Oliver Barth scored in between Cisse’s goals, and it’s a convincing win from Freiburg. Gladbach had their chances, but they just couldn’t take them and they were always going to concede here.