Bundesliga: Hannover 2 Schalke 2

Bundesliga title hopefuls Schalke had a tough start to the new campaign on Sunday when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Hannover 96.

Felipe put the hosts ahead on the stroke of half-time by capitalising on some shambolic marking from Huub Stevens’ men and heading home a Christian Pander free kick, but Schalke, who finished third last term, recovered after the interval and soon turned the match on its head.

Lewis Holtby fed Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and the Dutchman opened his account for the season seven minutes into the second half with a cool left-footed finish from the edge of the box after waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Holtby then notched one of his own as he headed home Jermaine Jones’ cross.

It seemed that the Gelsenkirchen side had done enough to secure a narrow victory, but Adrian Nikci was introduced 13 minutes from time, and swept home a Jan Schlaudraff pass to snatch a point moments later.