S04 beaten in Darmstadt after two early goals

Three changes and Barkok makes first start

Along with Moussa Sylla (muscle strain) and Emil Højlund (thigh injury), four other players were missing for the Royal Blues in Darmstadt. Kenan Karaman was not involved due to illness, while Tobias Mohr also made himself unavailable this morning for the same reason. Taylan Bulut missed out with persistent thigh problems following the Karlsruhe game. Ilyes Hamache has suffered an Achilles tendon injury and is set to miss the rest of the season.

Amin Younes, Adrian Gantenbein and Aymen Barkok came in for Karaman, Mohr and Bulut. It was Barkok’s second appearance for S04 and his first start.

Lidberg with an early brace

The Royal Blues made the worst-possible start to the match and went 2-0 down after just five minutes. In the third minute, Isac Lidberg cut inside from the left and curled a perfectly-placed shot into the far corner. Just 120 seconds later, he latched onto a through ball by Luca Marseiler and chipped it over the onrushing Justin Heekeren and into the net.

Seguin with Schalke’s best chance

S04 began to gain some control of the game after this early double whammy. They had more of the ball and won eight corners in the first 45 minutes, though they created few clearcut chances. Darmstadt sat back after going 2-0 up and looked to launch fast counterattacks.

In the 21st minute, Fraser Hornby struck the post with a low shot. Paul Seguin had Schalke’s best chance when he curled an effort towards goal from around 20 yards out following a short corner. Darmstadt goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen tipped the ball over the bar (39’). Just before half time, Killian Corredor fired just wide from around 25 yards out, though Heekeren would have had it covered.

Darmstadt with the better opportunities

Kees van Wonderen brought on Max Grüger for Barkok at half time. Just after the restart, the substitute looked to find the far corner from around 25 yards out, but Schuhen made himself big to turn the ball past the post for a corner (48’).

The Royal Blues struggled to threaten in the second half, too, and the Lilies had the better opportunities. Ron Schallenberg blocked a shot from Luca Marseiler after a breakaway (58’). Aleksandar Vukotic headed narrowly wide from a corner (63’), while Fraser Hornby’s low shot also just missed the right-hand post (70’).

Grüger shown the red card

The Knappen were reduced to ten men with around 15 minutes to go. Grüger received a second yellow card for a foul in the centre of the pitch and was given his marching orders (76’).

With their man advantage, the hosts largely kept Schalke at bay. Hornby missed a chance for 3-0 in the 84th minute, when he struck wide with an effort from inside the penalty area.

In another blow for S04, Zaid Tchibara picked up an injury following a challenge in the closing stages and was unable to continue. The young forward has suffered a suspected ACL injury.

Soon after, referee Nicolas Winter blew the final whistle, and it finished 2-0 to the hosts.

Münster next on the agenda

S04’s next league game will be on Friday (28/2). The match against Preußen Münster at the VELTINS-Arena will kick off at 18:30 CET.