German-American coach David Wagner saw his Schalke side fall to a fourth consecutive defeat with a 1-0 result against Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Werder's Leonardo Bittencourt left goalie Alexander Nübel with no chance as he curled a left-footed shot home from outside the box to put his side ahead. Werder capitalized on a giveaway in midfield after Barcelona loanee Jean-Clair Todibo was dispossessed in the 32nd minute. Schalke had several chances to equalize, but when not forced into long-distance efforts by Werder, Wagner's side was wasteful inside the penalty area.
This @werderbremen_en curler gets better with every replay pic.twitter.com/7twCHpc4pF
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 30, 2020
This latest defeat left Schalke winless in 11 games going back to January, during which time it has fallen to 10th place. The Royal Blues were well-placed to challenge for European qualification before a 5-0 humbling away defeat to Bayern Munich began their ongoing slump.
Schalke has defended horrendously at times during its winless run and has now been outscored 25-4 since winning last. Wagner finds himself under increasing pressure and had fans been allowed inside the stadium in recent weeks, they would no doubt have voiced their displeasure at their team's shocking displays.
Schalke can not have been helped by the ongoing controversy over the goalkeeping position. After being awarded the captain's armband ahead of the season, Alexander Nübel announced over the winter that he will depart for Bayern on a free transfer this summer. Since the widespread anger that followed that announcement, he has been rotating with new arrival Markus Schubert.
It is difficult as a goalie to be in and out of the side each week and each of them have struggled when handed their opportunities. Schubert began the season's second half as the No. 1, but a patella injury saw Nübel reinstated to the side. After shipping eight goals in two defeats to Leipzig and Cologne, Nübel was benched yet again.
If Wagner and Schalke cannot end the season with a strong spell, the board could be tasked with finding its third manager in as many seasons. The Royal Blues will hope to end a hapless run as they take on Union Berlin next Sunday, June 7, at 9:30 a.m. EST.
