Schalke 0-0 Mainz: Bundesliga basement boys share the derby spoils on Friday night in new coach Dimitrios Grammozis’ first game in charge
- Dimitrios Grammozis took over following the sacking of Christian Gross
- But he could not guide Schalke to three points during his first match at the helm
- Former Arsenal centre back Shkodran Mustafi came close to scoring early on
- Both sides went away with a point each, leaving Schalke still adrift at the bottom
Bundesliga basement club Schalke 04 drew 0-0 at home to Mainz 05 in their relegation derby on Friday in coach Dimitrios Grammozis’ debut on the Royal Blues’ bench.
The Greek took over this week following the sacking of Christian Gross and became Schalke’s fifth coach this season with the team anchored in last place.
The draw leaves Schalke on 10 points with Mainz in 16th – the relegation playoff spot – level on 18 points with second-bottom Arminia Bielefeld, who host Union Berlin on Sunday.
Schalke drew 0-0 against Mainz on Friday in Dimitrios Grammozis’ first game in charge
The draw leaves Schalke on 10 points, eight points off safety in the German Bundesliga
Schalke, who had to make do without midfielder Amine Harit after his injury during the warm-up, came close to scoring after 18 minutes with a Shkodran Mustafi header.
Although Mainz had to wait until the 38th minute for their first chance through Leandro Barreiro, the visitors gradually took control of the game and had several efforts on goal in the closing stages of the first half.
Schalke were on the back foot after the break once more and Danish goalkeeper Riis Ronnow was kept busy with his team doing very little in terms of attacking.
Schalke centre back Shkodran Mustafi came close to scoring for the hosts in the 18th minute