Schalke midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has returned to first-team training as the Royal Blues look to give themselves every chance of avoiding relegation this season.
Marcus Ingvartsen had the first sight of goal for the hosts, five minutes into what had been a positive opening from Urs Fischer s men. His shot missed the target by a distance, but Union s attacking approach appeared to be spot on as they established an evident supremacy. Even without the suspended Christopher Trimmel, Union had another excellent free-kick taker in Ingvartsen, whose enticing cross was met by Knoche with a looping header into the far corner of Yann Sommer s goal from the very edge of the penalty area for his first goal of the season. It was Union s 12th successful set-piece this season, second only to Gladbach s 16, yet not even the dead balls were working for the Foals in a frustrating first half for Marco Rose s men.
Games between Mainz and Leipzig had produced 44 goals in the previous nine meetings in the Bundesliga and both sides looked intent on continuing that free-scoring run from the get-go. Marcel Sabitzer dragged a shot wide just minutes before the scoring was opened after 15 minutes: Sabitzer s rocket-shot bounced down and out off the crossbar and was poked home by Adams on the rebound for his first in the German top-flight. Nine minutes later and the scores were level, though, as Leipzig conceded from a set piece for the first time this season: Moussa Niakhate smashed the ball home after Dominik Kohr - making his Mainz debut - had seen his header saved by Peter Gulacsi. It took only six minutes for the next to come, with Marcel Halstenberg slotting home following Dayot Upamecano’s header across goal to restore the lead. Mainz, though, came level for the second time through the unlikely source of Niakhate again as he pounced from close range after the visitors defence had not cleared
USMNT weekend viewing guide: How high can Hoppe soar?
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Photo by Marius Becker/picture alliance via Getty Images
Things are starting off on the right foot this weekend, with three games on Friday including Bundesliga, FA Cup, and the United States Women’s National Team’s second match against Colombia. The strong slate continues through the weekend, including a rare opportunity to watch Juventus on network television for those who enjoy some morning coffee and a sunrise with their soccer. Let’s get right into it.
Friday
USWNT v Colombia - 7p on ESPN2
Stars and Stripes FC will again have full coverage of the match but the women deserve top billing, so we’re doubling up a bit here. The USWNT take the field Friday night in a great start to the weekend as they face Colombia for the second time this week. The US won the opening match on Monday 4-0, thanks to the Mewis sister show. Samantha Mewis picked up the hat trick, and Kristie add a goal of her own after