Ivan Rakitic curled home a glorious late winner as Schalke kept the
heat on the Bundesliga's top two with victory over Borussia
Dortmund in the 135th Revier derby on Friday night.
The Croatian struck in the 83rd minute to complete the hosts'
comeback after Benedikt Howedes had cancelled out Nuri Sahin's
penalty two minutes after the break.
The win lifted Felix Magath's side to within one point of
joint leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich.
Kevin Kuranyi headed over the bar from Rakitic's cross in the
third minute as Schalke carved out the game's first chance.
Sahin's shot was saved easily by Manuel Neuer at the other
end before Bordon tested Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller from
outside the area.
Bordon threatened again in the 27th minute as his header from
another Rakitic delivery was cleared off the line by Mohammed
Zidan.
Sahin fired another effort wide of the right post three
minutes before half-time - and two minutes afterwards he put the
visitors in front.
Rakitic brought down Nelson Valdez just inside the area and
Sahin was composure personified from the spot, placing his penalty
high to Neuer's right as the keeper dived left.
The Royal Blues knew a second straight defeat would be a
major blow to their title aspirations, and were back in the contest
in the 66th minute.
Lukas Schmitz's free-kick from the right was headed into the
near bottom corner from just outside the six-yard box by Benedikt
Howedes.
Jefferson Farfan fired over and Kuranyi was denied a clear
chance by a timely clearance from Neven Subotic as the hosts looked
for a winner.
And it came courtesy of a moment of individual brilliance in
the 83rd minute.
Edu Goncalves showed strength to win the ball and backheel it
to Rakitic, who was just behind him to his left.
And the Croatian placed an instant right-footed shot
perfectly beyond the despairing dive of Weidenfeller and into the
far top corner.
