Schalke battle back to beat Mainz, Hannover held
Sunday, August 21, 2011
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FC Schalke 04 produced a superb rearguard display to overturn a 2-0 deficit and defeat 1. FSV Mainz 05 4-2, before Hannover 96's perfect start was ended by Hertha BSC Berlin.
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FC Schalke 04 claimed their second win of the season courtesy of a fine second-half comeback away against 1. FSV Mainz 05, on a day when Hannover 96 missed the opportunity to go top after being held at home by Hertha BSC Berlin.
Schalke dug deep after the interval to drag themselves back from 2-0 down, Andreas Ivanschitz and Elkin Soto having handed the hosts an excellent start inside the opening 12 minutes. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar began the recovery (57) and Benedikt Höwedes drew Ralf Rangnick's men level (64), before Joel Matip gave them the lead (81) and Christian Fuchs rounded off a remarkable comeback in the final minute.
Elsewhere, Schalke's fellow UEFA Europa League play-off contenders Hannover were denied a third consecutive victory of the season despite taking the lead against Hertha when Sergio Pinto hit the target just past the half-hour. Substitute Pierre-Michel Lasogga dampened the home side's mood seven minutes from time.