Schalke fighting for Bundesliga survival after another draw

Gelsenkirchen, Feb 12: Schalke’s bid for Bundesliga survival continued after drawing against Wolfsburg 0-0 on Friday, the struggling team’s third consecutive draw after a string of defeats.

Schalke had two goals ruled out in the second half for offside, but can take heart from another encouraging performance after last weekend’s draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach as it cut the gap on relegation rival Hertha Berlin to just two points. 

Wolfsburg’s winless run stretched to four games. Captain Maximilian Arnold had the visitors’ best chance when he struck an early penalty against 

the left post. 

It was the only real chance offered by Schalke, which failed to create any attacking opportunities of its own before the break. Alex Kral headed just over after the break, then had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside. Schalke had another goal ruled out for offside in the 76th, when Michael Frey’s celebrations were cut short. Schalke remained last after 20 games. Hertha hosts Gladbach on Sunday, while Stuttgart, Bochum and Hoffenheim are also fighting the drop.

Giroud scores to beat TorinoAC Milan’s seven-game winless run across all competitions ended after Torino was beaten 1-0 by an Olivier Giroud goal in Serie A on Friday. 

The visitors failed to close down Théo Hernandez on the wing and the French left back crossed for his compatriot Giroud to score with a glancing header inside the far post in the 62nd minute. Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić was powerless to stop it.

Hernandez should have made it 2-0 minutes later but scuffed his shot wide in front of an open goal. Still, the defending league champions will be relieved to end their negative run after four straight defeats.

Torino created more chances in the first half but the home team stepped up a gear in the second and missed a couple of opportunities before Giroud scored.

Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimović remained on the substitutes’ bench after returning to the team for the first time since his knee operation in May. It’s Milan’s first win since Jan. 4. The Italian giant next hosts Tottenham in the Champions League on Tuesday. (AP)