S04 convincingly win 1-0 at home to Mainz

Two changes to the starting XI

Guido Burgstaller and Alessandro Schöpf came into the starting lineup for the Mainz match, replacing Breel Embolo and Cedric Teuchert. Teuchert did not feature in the matchday squad due to a muscle problem.

S04 take the lead for the first time this season

The visitors made the better start to the match as Jean-Philippe Mateta looked dangerous and created a few chances in the opening minutes. The Royal Blues slowly took their time to settle into the match but took the lead with their first chance. Birthday boy Yevhen Konoplyanka fired a cross into the box from the left and Alessandro Schöpf headed home from close distance to give S04 their first lead of the season. Instead of sitting back and protecting the lead, Domenico Tedesco’s side continued to press forward in search of a second goal.

After 23 minutes, the Roya Blues thought they had doubled their lead through a Mainz own goal. Mainz captain Stefan Bell tested his own keeper Florian Müller after an Amine Harit cross into the box. However, the young keeper denied S04 with a strong save with his foot. Three minutes before half time, Guido Burgstaller managed to create space in the six yard box after Suat Serdar won the ball, but Müller was once again there to deny the Schalke striker. Less than two minutes later, Salif Sané tried to get a shot on goal but it was deflected by Jean-Philippe Gbamin, prompting penalty shouts. Referee Benjamin Cortus allowed play to continue and the Video assistant also chose not to review what happened. Mainz struggled to get back into the match after falling behind, but managed to create a good chance in the 29th minute as Robin Quaison’s shot went narrowly wide.

Konoplyanka hits the bar twice

Less than two minutes after the restart, Mainz troubled the home side. Jean-Philippe Gbamin’s shot was well-saved by Ralf Fährmann, with Schalke’s captain doing well to tip the powerful shot past the post. The guests were more open in the second half as they searched for an equaliser, but it was Schalke who next came closest to scoring. Yehven Konoplyanka’s free kick from 25 yards out clipped the top of the crossbar, before Amine Harit narrowly missed the target after 62 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Konoplyanka rattled the bar again, this time with an acrobatic volley from close range. Omar Mascarell was then able to make his competitive debut for Schalke, coming on for Suat Serdar with six minutes to go. He was able to help see out the game and thus seal Schalke’s first three points of the season.

Third midweek game in a row

The Royal Blues were able to continue their fantastic run against FSV Mainz. The teams have now met 13 times in the first half of Bundesliga seasons, with Schalke winning all 13.

Schalke have another week with two games ahead of them. Tedesco’s team will travel to Russia to face Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League on Wednesday (3/10). The match, which will re-unite Benedikt Höwedes and Jefferson Farfan with their former club, will start at 18:55 (CEST). The next Bundesliga game is against promoted side Fortuna Düsseldorf next Saturday (6/10, 15:30 CEST).