S04 kick off new season with a 5-1 win at home against Braunschweig

Three new signings in the starting XI

Karel Geraerts opted to use a 4-2-3-1 formation on the opening weekend. Three new signings – Moussa Sylla, Janik Bachmann and Adrian Gantenbein – were named in the starting XI. Anton Donkor and Emil Højlund also appeared for the first time in competitive football for the club in the second half.

Mohr scores S04’s first goal of the season

Although Schalke started brightly and looked to force mistakes in Braunschweig’s play by putting them under pressure, it was the visitors who had the first opportunity of the evening. After Fabio Kaufmann won the ball back in midfield, Sidney Raebiger played Rayan Philippe in behind. Justin Heekeren was quick off his line though, and he prevailed in the 1v1 battle (7’).

Schalke’s goalkeeper was involved again less than two minutes later, however this time in an attacking sense. His long ball forward wasn’t dealt with by Kevin Ehlers and Tobias Mohr stole in. The winger noticed that keeper Lennart Grill was off his line and produced a sensational lob over him from 20 yards out to open the scoring (9’).

S04 continued to press forward in search of a second goal and found one after a few more promising attacks. A corner was initially cleared, but only to Paul Seguin. His cross was headed back across the goal by Tomas Kalas at the far post and Mehmet Can Aydin headed towards the target. His attempt was blocked on the line by Philippe, but the ball fell to Moussa Sylla. The Frenchman’s shot was saved by Lennart Grill, however Philippe then attempted to clear the ball and only succeeded in hitting it against Sylla and into the back of the net (25’).

The visitors pulled one back eight minutes after Sylla’s goal. A corner from the right-hand side found Kevin Ehlers, who initially headed the ball against himself. This teed up an easy finish from close range for him and he duly obliged (33’). Referee Tobias Stieler checked to see if he’d handled the ball, eventually deciding the goal would stand. Braunschweig improved after Ehler’s goal, although Daniel Scherning’s side couldn’t equalise before the break.

Karaman and Sylla seal the win

There was little action to speak of for a while in the second half. Schalke pressed Braunschweig higher up the pitch than in the final 15 minutes before the break, albeit without much success. Paul Seguin fizzed a shot from range past the post in what was the first chance of the second period (56’).

The Lions put together their first dangerous attack of the second half almost immediately after Seguin’s shot. Rayan Philippe slipped in Johan Gomez and his shot hit the side-netting. After another period of little action in either box, Kenan Karaman scored the important third goal for S04. The captain was played the ball by Ron Schallenberg, shifted it onto his left foot and produced a lovely finish to defeat Grill (73’).

Schalke still weren’t satisfied with their two-goal advantage and aimed to add to their lead. After a Tomas Kalas volley went over the bar (79’), Moussa Sylla scored his second of the evening (82’). Ron Schallenberg did fantastically well in midfield to regain possession, passed it to Marcin Kaminski and he then played it to Paul Seguin. He kept his head up and slotted in Sylla, who made no mistake in front of goal.

The Knappen regained the ball almost straight away after kick off and countered once more. Sylla turned the provider for Kenan Karaman and the captain dribbled past Ermin Bicakcic before adding a fifth and final goal (83’).

Away at FCN

Schalke’s first away game of the season is against friends 1. FC Nürnberg. The clash in Franconia is set for 13:00 CEST at the Max-Morlock-Stadion next Saturday (10/8). The Royal Blues will also be on the road the following weekend, away at VfR Aalen in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.