Drama, controversy and a last-minute equaliser as Schalke draw 3-3 with Fürth

Sanchez replaces suspended Kaminski

Head coach Kees van Wonderen made one change to the starting XI in Schalke’s last game before the international break, the 2-1 loss to Hannover 96. He was forced to do so, as Kaminski picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against H96, meaning he was suspended for the trip to Fürth. Felipe Sanchez replaced the experienced centre-back in the line-up. Moussa Sylla was named on the bench for the first time since sustaining a long-term injury, and centre-back Malik Talabidi from the U23s was also included in the matchday squad.

Controversy and Karius injury in first half

The match started just as eventfully as the clash between the two sides earlier this season that ended 4-3. Schalke drew first blood, as their first chance resulted in a goal for the captain. Roberto Massimo’s pass back to his keeper Nahuel Noll didn’t have enough power on it, and Kenan Karaman latched onto it, before curling the ball into the back of the net from an acute angle (9’).

The Schalke celebrations didn’t last long, though. Directly after the restart, Roberto Massimo made up for his mistake, as he levelled things up again with a near-post header (11’). Referee Tom Bauer reviewed the goal for a possible offside in the build-up, but it was eventually awarded, making the scoreline 1-1. The game remained hectic after the early goals, with possession changing hands several times and some frantic scenes in the final third.

The referee was also at the centre of the next in incident. Simon Asta went to ground in the Schalke penalty area after Paul Seguin looked to have made contact with him. Following a conversation with the video assistant, the referee awarded a penalty, which S04 keeper Loris Karius was initially able to save. Karius then tried smother the rebound, but Jomaine Consbruch managed to squeeze the ball over the line in the ensuing frenzy. Karius claimed that he got to the ball with his hand first, but his protests fell on deaf ears and the referee once again awarded a goal to the hosts after consulting the pitchside monitor (26’).

The hosts had turned the game around, and the match visibly slowed down after the half-an-hour mark. Following the home side’s second goal, neither Fürth nor Schalke had any more noteworthy opportunities until added time. This would bring about another setback for the Royal Blues, though. After coming together with Fürth’s Felix Klaus, Loris Karius had on-field treatment for several minutes, before eventually being forced off with injury just before the end of the first half. Justin Heekeren replaced him in the Schalke goal (45+5).

Royal Blues have the last laugh

Schalke came out after the restart with the wind in their sails and tried to lay down a marker immediately. Aymen Barkok came on for Janik Bachmann at the start of the second half, and S04 started to play more attacking football. After Christopher Antwi-Adjei was fouled by a Fürth player, the Royal Blues had a free-kick in a promising position which resulted in Pape Meïssa Ba nodding the ball in at the far post to make it 2-2… but the attacker was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed (49’).

Fürth got back into the game again after the scare and extended their lead with their first chance of the second 45. Dennis Srbeny picked up the ball in the Schalke penalty area, slaloming between two Royal Blue defenders and smashing it past Justin Heekeren to make it 3-1 (54’). It was yet another setback for the visitors, who had to reorganise and find their way back into the game once again.

S04 looked vulnerable – especially at the back – at certain moments, and the hosts continued to find space in and around the box via quick counterattacks. Felix Klaus, in particular, missed a swathe of opportunities to add to Fürth’s lead (57’, 67’, 76’, 77’). The Knappen strove to get forward, though they couldn’t find their way into the opposition box for long stretches of the game. Head coach Kees van Wonderen tried to inject impetus into Schalke’s play with some substitutions, switching Felipe Sanchez and Pape Meïssa Ba out for Anton Donkor and Moussa Sylla (65’), before bringing Amin Younes off the bench in place of Christopher Antwi-Adjei (75’).

Schalke would eventually be rewarded for their efforts. Having Amin Younes and Aymen Barkok on the pitch meant that Schalke had more control in the middle of the park, and the former got a goal back for the Royal Blues after some nice passing in the box, curling the ball past keeper Noll (84’). The away side piled the pressure on Fürth, pushing them back into their own half.

An acrobatic effort from Moussa Sylla flew just over the bar (88’), but he would go one better in the five minutes of added time. Sylla burst past the defence, but the opposition keeper was just that bit faster off his line and managed to get to the ball before the striker (90+1’). Noll was powerless for Schalke’s final chance of the game, which also ended up being the last kick of the game. A cross from the left-hand side found Moussa Sylla lingering at the back post, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-3 (90+5’). S04 couldn’t celebrate immediately, however, due to a VAR check, but referee Tom Bauer’s announcement that the goal would stand sparked jubilant scenes from the Royal Blue players, coaching staff and fans. Bauer blew the final whistle shortly afterwards to bring a hectic game to a close with the scoreline reading 3-3.

Back at home against Ulm

The Royal Blues’ next game will be next Sunday (6/4), when they take on SSV Ulm at home. The Sparrows currently sit 17th in the table and ran out as 2-1 winners against SV Darmstadt 98 this weekend. Earlier this season, the clash in Ulm ended goalless.