Late goal condemns Schalke to a 1-0 defeat in Heidenheim

Four changes – Latza comeback

Dimitrios Grammozis made four changes to the team that lost in the DFB-Pokal three days ago at TSV 1860 München. Martin Fraisl, Thomas Ouwejan, Danny Latza and Simon Terodde replaced Ralf Fährmann, Darko Churlinov, Marvin Pieringer and Yaroslav Mikhailov in the side. It was captain Latza’s first start since the opening day against Hamburger SV on 23rd July.

First chance for Ouwejan – Mohr rattles the crossbar

In front of 10,000 fans at a foggy Voith-Arena, Schalke had more of the ball in the opening stages, as well as the first shot through Thomas Ouwejan, who volleyed directly at the goalkeeper after five minutes. Marius Bülter then tested out Kevin Müller with a bouncing effort (9’).

The hosts were happy to let Schalke have more possession, and didn’t create many chances in the first period. However, they were inches away from the lead in the 17th minute when Tobias Mohr fired a rocket towards goal, which hit the crossbar and then bounced back out off the line. A corner a minute later then provided Robert Leipertz with another opportunity, though he couldn’t find the back of the net with his thigh at the back post (18’).

Two Pálsson headers go over

The duo of Thomas Ouwejan and Victor Pálsson combined twice at the other end for Schalke’s next dangerous moments. Firstly, S04’s vice-captain headed a corner from the left-back onto the roof of the net (22’), then clearing the bar with another header from another corner five minutes later. In between those efforts, Müller got a hand on a shot from Rodrigo Zalazar to deny the Uruguayan (26’).

The most threatening moments in the first 45 minutes tended to involve Ouwejan’s left foot. He attempted to score from range after half an hour, Müller was again forced into action. Seven minutes after that, his cross to Reinhold Ranftl at the back post created another chance. The Austrian shot with the ball still in the air, again finding the roof of the goal. The final noteworthy shot in the first period was one by Heidenheim’s striker Tim Kleindienst, who dragged an effort wide on his left (42’).

Heidenheim chances straight after the break

The home team had more of the play as the second half began. Martin Fraisl made himself big to push a Tim Kleindienst strike past the post (47’). The resulting corner was whipped in dangerously by Tobias Mohr and needed Fraisl to be on his toes to push it away from danger (48’). Further shots for FCH came via a Thomalla header (49’), Kleindienst with the outside of his boot (51’) and Thomalla from range (53’).

In the 63rd minute, Ouwejan hit one on his left, failing to get enough behind it for it to have a realistic chance of going in, meanwhile Victor Pálsson made a vital block at the last second from a Mohr shot inside the box (69’).

Terodde misses a header – Hüsing wins it late on

Schalke’s top goalscorer, Simon Terodde, then became more involved in the game, firstly having a shot blocked on the turn by defender Patrick Mainka (70’). He then squandered arguably S04’s best chance of the night. Rodrigo Zalazar picked him out with a cross from the right, however his header from around six yards out went past the far post (74’).

Substitute Florian Pick saw his strike deflected narrowly wide by Thomas Ouwejan in the 85th minute, before Heidenheim found a late goal that would seal the points for them. Tobias Mohr’s free-kick from deep was met by defender Oliver Hüsing, who headed past Martin Fraisl to finally break the deadlock (89’). S04 threw all they could at Heidenheim in injury time, coming closest via a Terodde header that landed on the roof of the goal.

Darmstadt up next

Schalke’s next match is at home to SV Darmstadt 98 on matchday 13. The game will be played at the VELTINS-Arena on Sunday, 7th November at 13:30 CET.