Bundesliga - Round-up: Kuranyi fires for Schalke

Eurosport - Sat, 08 Aug 21:40:00 2009

Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi struck either side of half-time to secure a 2-1 away victory over newly-promoted Nuremberg in their Bundesliga opener.

FOOTBALL Kevin Kuranyi of Schalke - 0

The win also marked a successful debut for coach Felix Magath, who last season steered VfL Wolfsburg to the title.

Kuranyi (pictured), who has had a troubled few years at Schalke and was rumoured to be on his way out last season, struck from close range in the 36th minute after picking up a Jefferson Farfan pass.

The striker, eager to regain his place in the Germany team, added a second goal five minutes after the restart by firing in a cross from Georgian Levan Kenia.

Nuremberg managed to pull one back two minutes from time but Slovak striker Marek Mintal's strike came too late.

"I am glad to have won this match but I am not particularly happy," said Magath. "Our game was not good. After the 1-0 and the 2-0 we should have controlled it much better."

Bayern Munich, missing several key players through injury, had to settle for a 1-1 draw against hosts Hoffenheim. The Bavarians were without injured playmaker Franck Ribery, strikers Miroslav Klose, Luca Toni and defender Martin Demichelis, and it showed.

Hoffenheim's Josip Simunic looked to have scored in the 11th minute when his header was palmed out of the goal by keeper Michael Rensing, but the referee waved to play on.

Bayern did grab the lead against the run of play through Ivica Olic in the 25th minute before Chinedu Obasi equalised with a low drive, set up well by Vedad Ibisevic, who returned after missing half of last season to injury.

"The team forgot to play football in the first half," said Bayern coach Louis van Gaal. "In the second they were flat but we did not use our chances."

Eintracht Frankfurt stunned hosts Werder Bremen 3-2, twice going ahead with goals from Yannis Amanatidis and twice seeing Bremen fight back before the break.

The visitors snatched the three points when Czech striker Martin Fenin caught the Bremen defence off guard to tap in from close range in the 71st.

Borussia Dortmund edged Cologne, missing injured striker Lukas Podolski who has rejoined the club from Bayern Munich, thanks to Marvin Matip's own goal in the 75th.

Champions Wolfsburg beat Stuttgart 2-0 on Friday.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. wolfsburg won the tittle last year

    From Daniella, on Sat 22 Aug 2:42PM
  2. its going to came down between wolfburg and schalke for­ the title

    From chelsea fan, on Sun 9 Aug 7:07PM
  3. could someone tell me who won the league last season.i­ dont follow the german game but i watched a bit­ yesterday and loved it

    From swannack2508, on Sun 9 Aug 3:54PM
  4. Great display by rensing throwing the ball out the goal­ before ref noticed.

    From iancampbell11, on Sun 9 Aug 12:21AM
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    From May, on Sat 8 Aug 6:49PM
  6. Oh no my poor Bremen. Starting from where they stopped­ last season

    From okparajerry, on Sat 8 Aug 5:46PM
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