Schalke draw in Elversberg after Topp scores

Schallenberg, Soppy back in the starting XI

There were two changes to the Schalke side that started the match against 1. FC Nürnberg. Ron Schallenberg and Brandon Soppy replaced Cedric Brunner, who missed the match due to knee problems, and Keke Topp, who dropped to the bench. Schallenberg made his comeback to the side last weekend, playing 25 minutes in the win against FCN, while Soppy was making his first appearance since Schalke’s draw against SC Paderborn. Michael Langer took Ralf Fährmann’s spot on the bench, as Schalke’s number 1 missed the match with a calf strain.

Karaman hits the bar before Le Joncour heads Elversberg in front

The Royal Blues looked to be the better side in the opening exchanges and had the first noteworthy chances of the encounter. Simon Terodde held the ball up before laying it off to Kenan Karaman, whose shot from the edge of the box hit the bar (6’). Dominik Martinovic had SVE’s first threatening opportunity in the 10th minute of the match, as he managed to slip the ball under Marius Müller’s outstretched arm, but Tomas Kalas intervened before his scuffed shot dribbled over the line.

Elversberg would take the lead in the 18th minute, however. Marius Müller made a huge save to deny Jannik Rochelt, before Ron Schallenberg blocked Paul Wanner’s follow-up. SVE were awarded a free-kick shortly afterwards. Rochelt swung the ball into the Schalke penalty area, where an unmarked Florian Le Joncour rose highest and nodded the ball past Marius Müller to put the hosts ahead.

SVE miss the chance to make it two, Karaman denied by Kristof

The goal threw the Knappen off their stride somewhat, as Elversberg started to turn up the heat. Robin Fellhauer spurned the chance to double the home side’s advantage 60 seconds after the opener, with Paul Wanner also firing wide eight minutes later.

Schalke looked to hit back ten minutes before the break. Yusuf Kabadayi’s diving header following a cross from Derry John Murkin was inches away from levelling things up (38’). The visitors would have an even better opportunity just two minutes later. Kenan Karaman met Paul Seguin’s free-kick powerfully, but Nicholas Kristof did enough to keep the Turkish international’s header out and Terodde was unable to convert the rebound. Schalke trailed 1-0 as the sides headed into the dressing rooms at half-time.

Substitute Topp with the equaliser

Keke Topp replaced Derry John Murkin at the start of the second half after the defender picked up a knock. Schalke’s number 42 joined Simon Terodde up front, while Yusuf Kabadayi shifted into midfield and Thomas Ouwejan filled in for Murkin at the back.

Topp missed the chance to draw the Royal Blues level in the 51st minute, as he didn’t get connect well enough with his shot from six yards out. The 20-year-old made amends eight minutes later, however. After Kenan Karaman’s whipped ball into the box took a slight deflection, Topp reacted quickest to poke home from close range to make it 1-1.

Wanner hits the bar, Müller to the rescue

The game was much more even after the leveller, though Elversberg still had a slight edge in terms of chances created. Paul Wanner had the biggest chance for the hosts, as his effort rattled the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Keke Topp stung Nicolas Kristof’s gloves with a venomous strike (76’), before Marius Müller made a huge save to prevent Jannik Rochelt from giving Elversberg the lead late on. Both sides struggled to create chances as the game drew to a close, and Schalke left Elversberg with another point to their name.

Düsseldorf under the lights

S04 will host Fortuna Düsseldorf at the VELTINS-Arena on matchday 31 of the 2. Bundesliga season. The match will kick off at 20:30 CEST next Saturday (27/4).