Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Schalke 04: Borussia Dortmund frustrated by resurgent Schalke in Revierderby

Posted Sunday, October 30, 2016 by PA

Schalke extended their unbeaten run to four games and frustrated their local rivals Borussia Dortmund in a goalless draw at the Westfalenstadion.

The Royal Blues enjoyed the better of the first half before defending resolutely in the second 45 minutes as Thomas Tuchel's men tried harder to find a winner.

The draw helped Schalke continue their resurgence, having lost their first five games of the season, and lifted Dortmund to fifth, eight points adrift of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

Schalke made a bright start to the game and were nearly rewarded with the opening goal after 14 minutes.

Leon Goretzka led the surge forward with Franco Di Santo in tow, but, when the Argentinian received the ball from his team-mate, his route to goal was barred by Roman Burki.

Dortmund were struggling to get their game going with Schalke harrying and not affording them any time on the ball, making their presence felt also with some tough tackling.

Di Santo was constantly causing a nuisance of himself as Markus Weinzierl's men showed no fear in their neighbours' backyard.

Schalke shaded the first half, but they could count themselves lucky not to give away a penalty early in the second half when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's cross struck Benedikt Howedes' flailing arm.

The referee boldly waved play on, right in front of the 20,000 screaming fans packed in Dortmund's Sudkurve.

The game almost instantly swung to the other end of the field, where the industrious Sead Kolasinac had a half-volley saved instinctively by Burki.

The frenetic opening to the first half continued with Ousmane Dembele striking an angled shot against the crossbar from beyond the far post before Naldo took an inviting ball off the toes of Aubameyang as he shaped to shoot.

Mario Gotze wasted Dortmund's best chance to date in the 70th minute when he only had Ralf Fahrmann to beat, but the Schalke custodian stood up to the Germany international and made the save.

Kolasinac slid in to clear just in front of the goal-line as Christian Pulisic was poised to turn the ball into an open goal from Aubameyang's cross

Aubameyang sliced a volley wide as Dortmund looked for a winner with even more intensity, but they could not find one, with the visiting fans the happier to hear the final whistle.