S04 fall to 2-1 defeat at home against Elversberg

Heekeren replaces Fährmann in goal

Karel Geraerts was forced to make a late change to his starting line-up, after goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann pulled out of the warm-up with a muscle issue. Justin Heekeren replaced him in goal, while Kenan Karaman was fit in time to start in attack alongside Bryan Lasme. Tomas Kalas, Marcin Kaminski and Derry Murkin lined up in defence, with Henning Matriciani at right full-back and Thomas Ouwejan on the left. Ron Schallenberg, Lino Tempelmann and Dominick Drexler began in midfield.

Elversberg go 2-0 up inside 21 minutes

The visitors started on the front foot and were rewarded with an early opening goal, as Paul Stock was given space to drive through Schalke’s midfield and got a shot off from the edge of the box (7′). Heekeren dove after his shot, but had to watch as it landed in the back of the net.

Schalke looked to respond quickly, but Tempelmann’s effort from just outside the area was blocked (11′). Matriciani then took aim himself, but was unable to place his shot on target (12′). Instead, it was Elversberg who would go on to double their lead in the 21st minute, as a pass from Stock found Jannik Rochelt, who looked to slot home from the left side of the box. His shot bounced off the inside of the far post and rolled over the line.

Karaman cuts the deficit with a header

The hosts had settled into the match as we approached the half-hour mark, coming to what was probably their best chance of the game so far.Ouwejan’s corner found Drexler at the far post, but his shot was blocked. The ball then fell to Lasme, who chipped it back into the middle of the box. Matriciani was waiting to strike, but his shot flashed just side of the right post.

The Royal Blues were pressing for a goal of their own, with Karaman providing plenty of energy in attack. He had two shots blocked by the Elversberg defence, but earned a corner as a result. Ouwejan’s delivery found its mark once more, as Karaman headed in from five metres out to put Schalke back in the game (35′). The attacker was once again involved just 120 seconds later, but saw his shot pushed wide by goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof. He then had a go from range, but his strike was deflected out for another corner (40′). Lasme got on the end of this one, but his header went just over the bar (41′). As the half-time whistle went, the Royal Blues found themselves 2-1 down but feeling confident in their ability to still take something from this game.

Lasme hits the bar – Kristof denies Karaman with a strong save

S04 remained unchanged after the break and thought they had grounds to be awarded a penalty just 120 seconds into the second half. While attempting a shot inside the box, Matriciani had been caught on the foot by Elversberg’s Maurice Neubauer. However, referee Martin Petersen chose not to consult the VAR and awarded a corner instead.

The hosts remained solid at the back, only allowing Elversberg sight of the goal on one occasion, as Heekeren first dropped a shot from Stock before securing the ball again (56′). Down the other end, Lasme was unlucky to only hit the bar after getting off a shot from a tight angle (58′). Two minutes later, Kristof made a strong save to deny Karaman another header. Shortly after, the attacker was able to get off another header, but just missed putting it on target (64′). In doing so, he collided with SVE’s Frederik Jäkel and had to receive treatment for a head wound. Both were able to continue playing, with Karaman donning a blue bandage over his wound.

Unable to get an equaliser in the closing minutes

The chances continued to come for the Royal Blue, but they were unable to make them count. Lasme sent a header over the bar in the 70th minute, before a shot from substitute Keke Topp was deflected just wide of the right post (76′). With the exception of a shot from Hugo Vandermersch, which sailed high over the bar, S04 were able to keep Elversberg’s attack contained. Karaman fluffed a shot from 16 metres out with five minutes left to play, before Kalas nearly redirected a cross on target in injury time. Kristof was on hand to make the save, however. In the end, the Royal Blues ran out of time, as the whistle blew on a 2-1 defeat.

A trip to Düsseldorf in two weeks' time

Due to the international break next week, the Royal Blues will only be back in action in two weeks’ time, as they travel to face Fortuna Düsseldorf on 25th November (20:30 CET).