S04 end the year with 4-1 win at SV Elversberg

Grüger replaces Seguin — S04 with black armbands in memory of spielt Josef Schnusenberg

Head coach Kees van Wonderen initially named the same starting line-up from last weekend’s strong performance against Fortuna Düsseldorf, but was forced into a change during the warm-up. Paul Seguin had to drop out of the team and was replaced by Max Grüger. Taylan Bulut, Ron Schallenberg, Marcin Kaminski and Derry John Murkin started in defence ahead of goalkeeper Justin Heekeren. Grüger and Janik Bachmann began in defensive midfield, with Mehmet Can Aydin and Christopher Antwi-Adjei on the wings. Kenan Karaman lined up in attacking midfield, with Moussa Sylla as the team’s lone striker. The Royal Blues were wearing black armbands in Elversberg following the sudden death of former S04 chairman Josef Schnusenberg, who passed away last night after a serious illness. 

Karaman’s solo run puts S04 in front

The first chance of the night fell to the hosts, as Tom Zimmerschied won the ball and played it through to Muhammed Damar. The attacking midfielder controlled the ball inside the box, but was unable to put it past the onrushing Justin Heekeren in goal. The rebound fell to Fisnik Asllani, who sent his effort over the bar. 

Instead, it would be the Royal Blues that would go on to score first, through Kenan Karaman. Mehmet Can Aydin got the ball to the Schalke captain, as he strolled past several Elversberg defenders before striking the ball into the back of the net (11’). 

Sickinger equalises from range

Elversberg sought to put the pressure back on Schalke after conceding first, and were able to create a handful of chances. Asllani got a head to a cross from Damar, but sent it wide of the target (15’), before Heekeren had to push a long-range shot from Maurice Neubauer away from danger just three minutes later. The hosts were then rewarded for their efforts, as Sickinger took aim from 22 metres out. His shot looked to be heading straight into Heekeren’s hands, but slipped through the goalkeeper’s fingers and into the back of the net (25’). 

Schalke nearly managed to respond instantly, as Bachmann just missed getting on the end of a cross from Murkin. Aydin was able to keep the ball in play, but sent his effort wide of the left post (28’). 

The action in the remainder of the half was concentrated mainly in midfield, with both teams then going close again just before the break. Damar sent Asllani through on the break, but the attacker arrowed a shot just over the bar from the edge of the box (43’). 120 seconds later, Kaminski also just missed the target after getting on the end of a pass from Bulut. The two sides then headed into the dressing rooms with the scores level at 1-1. 

Sylla and Schallenberg add to scoreline

The Royal Blues managed to retake the lead 10 minutes into the second half, as Antwi-Adjei brought the ball up the pitch to Murkin. His cross in the box was met at the far post by Sylla, who headed in to make it 2-1 to the visitors. 

Schalke sought to add to their tally, with Aydin being denied by Elversberg’s Frederik Schmahl after a good ball into the box from Karaman (61’). Shortly after, SVE’s Lukas Petkov lost possession as the ball was quickly moved up the pitch by Sylla and Karaman. The captain beat several opposition players before delivering a cross to Schallenberg, who headed in to make it 3-1 (67’). 

Sylla’s brace puts the game to bed

Asllani then came close to cutting the deficit again for the hosts, but Heekeren was able to make the save (72’). With 15 minutes left to play, the Royal Blues struck again. Karaman won the ball on the edge of the box, before passing it to Grüger. He then laid the ball off to Gantenbein, who delivered a perfect pass to Sylla, allowing the striker to bag his second goal of the night (75’). 

The Royal Blues were able to defend well during the closing stages of the game, with Filimon Gerezgiher recording the only chance for the hosts during this timeframe. Heekeren was able to catch his effort, ensuring that the hosts wouldn’t be able to find a way back into the match (90’+1). Shortly after, referee Eric Weisbach blew the whistle to signal the end of the match, as the Royal Blues captured a 4-1 victory against the current league leaders. 

Training camp in Belek

Tonight’s game not only marked the end of the first half of the season, but also Schalke’s final match of 2024. The Royal Blues will head to Belek for a winter training camp from 3rd to 10th January 2025, with their league campaign set to resume away at Eintracht Braunschweig on 18th January.