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De Bruyne-less Wolfsburg hit three goals past Schalke

Schalke 04's Roman Neustaedter, Ralf Faehrmann and Leon Goretzka (L-R) leave the pitch after their Bundesliga first division soccer match in Wolfsburg, Germany August 28, 2015. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender (Reuters)

BERLIN (Reuters) - VfL Wolfsburg, with Manchester City target Kevin De Bruyne missing from the squad, went top of the Bundesliga by beating Schalke 04 3-0 thanks to two goals in three minutes on Friday. The absence of the Belgium midfielder, who is expected to join City for a Bundesliga record transfer, did not distract the Wolves as they took the lead when Dutchman Bas Dost volleyed the ball in from Christian Traesch's cross in the 17th minute. Teenager Leroy Sane squandered a good chance for Schalke from 10 metres before the hosts doubled their advantage when Sead Kolasinac brought down Luiz Gustavo and Ricardo Rodriguez sent keeper Ralf Faehrmann the wrong way with a well-taken penalty in the 59th minute. Swiss defender Rodriguez then drove over a corner that Timm Klose volleyed in for Wolfsburg's third goal in the 61st minute, with Schalke's back line in disarray. Wolfsburg, who also left out Inter Milan target Ivan Perisic, now have seven points from three games. Champions Bayern Munich take on Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday with both teams on six points. Borussia Dortmund, also on six, host Hertha Berlin on Sunday. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Tony Jimenez)