S04 secure 2-1 win in Bielefeld

A first start for Mertcan Ayhan

Head coach Miron Muslic was forced to make two changes to the team that won 1-0 against SpVgg Greuther Fürth last time out. Timo Becker, who had to come off in the first few minutes of the victory after rupturing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, was replaced by Mertcan Ayhan. It was the youngster’s first start for the club and exactly 12 years to the day since his older brother Kaan made his debut. The other switch saw Christopher Antwi-Adjei come in for Christian Gomis. The 25-year-old attacker suffered a thigh injury during training in midweek.

Antwi-Adjei pounces early on Bielefeld error

Schalke got the game underway and wasted no time in threatening the hosts’ goal. Barely 15 seconds had been played when Christopher Antwi-Adjei tried his luck from the edge of the box on the right, his shot finding only the side netting. Moments later, he fired off another shot from a central position around 20 metres out, but his effort was blocked (1’).

Both teams were alert from the start and keen to make an early statement. After Loris Karius comfortably collected a long ball, Nikola Katic was caught on the foot by Marius Wörl (3’), while at the other end Adrian Gantenbein slid in to dispossess Felix Hagmann near the halfway line (5’). Schalke pressed high up the pitch and immediately forced mistakes – and it paid off early. A misplaced pass from goalkeeper Jonas Kersken rolled straight into the path of Antwi-Adjei, who struck first time into the empty net to make it 1-0 (11’).

It was a nightmare start for the hosts and in particular their keeper. Just four minutes later, the scene nearly repeated itself – Antwi-Adjei again intercepted a square ball in defence, but this time the bounce carried it through to the Bielefeld goalkeeper (15’). Schalke kept their foot on the gas. Soufiane El-Faouzi carried the ball forward from deep inside his own half, chased all the way by Mael Corboz, who could only bring him down with a foul. The midfielder was shown a yellow card (17’). From the resulting free-kick, Antwi-Adjei sent the ball into the box, where Vitalie Becker battled to keep it alive and slipped it through to Hasan Kuruçay, who turned and fired into the far corner to double the lead (18’).

Bielefeld tried to stay focused in possession, but Schalke repeatedly won the ball back in one-on-one duels. The hosts looked for openings with long balls, though Schalke’s offside trap worked well – as when Mael Corboz lifted the ball over both Karius and the bar (22’). When Sam Schreck went down out wide under a challenge from Mertcan Ayhan, referee Florian Badstübner booked him for simulation (32’).

After half an hour, the home side began to grow into the game and enjoyed a spell of pressure. Monju Momuluh lifted the ball over Karius from the right, only for Adrian Gantenbein to brilliantly head the ball off the line (34’). A minute later, Wörl burst into the area from the left, but Karius read the situation perfectly and snatched the ball from his feet (35’). Two minutes after that, Wörl fired over the bar – though the assistant’s flag was already raised against provider Joel Grodowski (37’).

Schalke then regained control and pushed Bielefeld further away from their own box. In stoppage time, Antwi-Adjei had another chance on the break but missed the far post by inches (45+1’). During that move, Joel Felix picked up a hamstring injury with no contact and was forced off as the half-time whistle blew.

Lots of defending for S04 after early Bielefeld goal

Arminia Bielefeld returned from the break with Isiah Young on for the injured Joel Felix – and with clear intent to raise their performance. Young created the first chance after the restart, shooting from a tight angle following a counter-attack (47’). Just a minute later, the hosts got themselves back in the game from a corner. Maximilian Großer charged in and powered a header into the back of the net to make it 2-1 (48’).

That quick goal after the restart gave Arminia an immediate boost, and backed by a noisy crowd, they piled sustained pressure on the Royal Blues’ defence. Vitalie Becker was first shown yellow for a foul (50’), before Großer tried his luck again with another header, though Karius was down quickly to collect safely (51’). A few minutes later, Joel Grodowski shot over, but the flag was already raised for offside (56’).

After an hour, Schalke managed their first effort of the half following a long spell of Bielefeld dominance. Karaman held off his marker on the edge of the box and got a shot away, but it went straight into the hands of Jonas Kersken (61’). A minute later, the hosts appealed loudly for a penalty, but referee Florian Badstübner waved play on as Monju Momuluh went down far too easily under minimal contact from Becker (62’).

Head coach Miron Muslic responded to Arminia’s growing pressure with a double substitution: Janik Bachmann replaced Antwi-Adjei, while Bryan Lasme came on for Sylla to offer an outlet up front. Soon after came a scare at the other end, as Joel Grodowski collided with Katic and Karius while chasing a loose ball. The Bielefeld striker was left dazed and needed treatment (71’). Although he was able to continue, coach Mitch Kniat soon withdrew him as a precaution.

The hosts continued to dominate the half, but Schalke stood firm. Gantenbein was booked for a tactical foul on Young (77’), and moments later made way for Finn Porath, with Felipe Sanchez also coming on for Vitalie Becker (80’). The closing stages, including seven minutes of stoppage time, demanded full concentration from the Royal Blues. Even Bielefeld keeper Jonas Kersken ventured forward for a late corner, but Katic and his teammates repelled every attempt before Porath finally thumped the ball clear. Schalke’s resilience was rewarded in the end, as they held on for a 2-1 victory at the SchücoArena.

Friendly in Dublin

There will be no 2. Bundesliga action next weekend due to the international break. The Royal Blues will play a friendly in Dublin against Bohemians at 16:00 CEST on Saturday (11/10). Schalke’s next league game is the following Friday (17/10) away at Hannover 96 (18:30 CEST).