Werder Bremen have dampened Schalke 04's top-two chances with an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to them on Saturday afternoon.
Werder started the game strongly, with Cedrick Makiadi particularly lively and the central midfielder had two early efforts on goal blocked.
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Not long after Aaron Hunt shot high and wide the home side deservedly took the lead. Franco di Santo was played in by Eljero Elia to finish low from a tight angle.
The goal urged Schalke into life and their first real opening came on 21 minutes as Julian Draxler tamely put a shot when well positioned just outside the box.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Hunt both shot over the bar at opposite ends before Schalke pulled themselves level. Leon Goretzka slammed in low from around the penalty spot to restore Schalke's hopes of a top-two finish.
Goretzka then had an effort from the edge of the box saved down low by Raphael Wolf as the away side finished the first half strongly.
However, in the second half despite chances both ways the two teams had to settle for a point each.
Matt Domm
