Schalke brings Bayern to a halt as champions lose top spot after 67 rounds

Bayern Munich’s long reign at the top of the Bundesliga ended in Gelsenkirchen, where newly promoted Schalke 04 resisted wave after wave of pressure and escaped with a goalless draw. After 67 rounds, the Bavarian giant fell from first to fourth, while Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund and Elversberg moved ahead with six points from six.

The night belonged to Loris Karius. The Schalke goalkeeper, still remembered for his costly mistakes in the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, turned into the hero against the German champions. He made two crucial saves, including a spectacular stop in the 89th minute, diving to push away a close-range shot from Harry Kane with his left hand.

Bayern dominated possession but could not turn that control into accurate finishing or a final pass. Vincent Kompany had made tactical changes with the Champions League approaching, leaving Kane and Michael Olise among the established players on the bench. Kane began warming up in the 38th minute as Bayern’s attack struggled to find an edge.

The England striker played the entire second half after replacing Nathaniel Brown, who had moved from his usual role at full-back into an attacking midfield position. Kompany sent on Olise and Jamal Musiala in the 57th minute as Bayern’s tactical control gave way to frustration, but Schalke’s defensive resistance held firm.