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Ten-man Schalke held to draw after late Hannover equaliser
FC Schalke 04 narrowly missed out on claiming all three points against Hannover 96 on Sunday (15/3). Edin Džeko and Kenan Karaman both scored in the first half to put S04 2-0 up, before the Bosnian was shown a harsh red card shortly after the interval. Maik Nawrocki and Benedikt Pichler then scored late goals to rescue a point for the visitors.
Karius and Katic both return
Head coach Miron Muslic made two changes to his starting XI. Loris Karius, who missed the last three games with a back problem, returned in goal to replace Kevin Müller. The other alteration saw Nikola Katic take Mertcan Ayhan’s place in the defence after serving his suspension for five yellow cards last time out.
Džeko has Schalke’s first chances – Karius denies Saad
The Royal Blues pressed the visitors high up the pitch from the outset and put Hannover’s back line under pressure. That led to Schalke’s first good opening in the 10th minute, when Ron Schallenberg cut out a pass, drove forward immediately and slipped the ball into the box on the right for Edin Džeko. His low effort towards the left corner was kept out by goalkeeper Nahuel Noll. Four minutes later, the ball worked its way back to Džeko via Adil Aouchiche and Dejan Ljubičić from the left, but the striker’s first-time left-footed effort from 14 yards out flew over the visitors’ goal.
After around 20 minutes, Hannover grew into the game and created a big chance to make it 1-0 with their first shot. Elias Saad raced through on goal after a through ball from Noel Aseko Nkili, but Loris Karius got his body in the way to deny the attacker (22’).
Džeko and Karaman make it 2-0 by half time
At the other end, Schalke found the breakthrough. Timo Becker sent Kenan Karaman away down the right and his low cross picked out Edin Džeko in the middle. The striker hit it first time and tucked the ball low into the bottom corner to put Schalke in front (29’). It was the winter signing’s sixth goal of the season.
The visitors only looked threatening in flashes during the first half and did not create another real chance. Schalke, by contrast, struck again in the 38th minute. After Dejan Ljubičić had initially hit the outside of the post in a crowded penalty area, the Royal Blues kept the move alive. The ball then broke for Soufiane El-Faouzi, whose delivery found Kenan Karaman’s head. The captain directed his effort against the inside of the left post, with the ball then bouncing over the line for 2-0. The goal was checked for a possible offside earlier in the move, but it stood and Schalke took that lead into half time.
Džeko sent off early in the second half
Eight minutes after the restart, referee Dr Robin Braun showed Edin Džeko a straight red card after the striker unintentionally caught Husseyn Chakroun’s upper body with his foot. Miron Muslic responded by bringing on Mertcan Ayhan for Adil Aouchiche soon afterwards, with Schalke switching to a back five.
The visitors naturally had more of the ball from that point on, while Schalke no longer had a target man up front. Hannover, however, still found it difficult to break down the Royal Blues’ well-organised defence. With 20 minutes time remaining, Moussa Sylla and Janik Bachmann came on in place of Kenan Karaman and Dejan Ljubičić.
Karius saves penalty, but Nawrocki scores – Pichler equalises with final kick of the game
The closing stages were dramatic, starting with referee Braun awarding Hannover a penalty after Nikola Katic brought down Noel Aseko Nkili. Enzo Leopold aimed low to the left, but Loris Karius got down to save and turned the ball behind for a corner. Schalke’s relief was short-lived, though, as Hannover pulled one back from the resulting set piece. Waniss Taibi’s header was tipped onto the bar by Karius, but Maik Nawrocki was there to head in the rebound from close range (82’). The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but after a VAR check it was given.
Seven minutes of added time were shown and that was then extended by another minute. Schalke dropped deep and tried to hold on to their slender lead. Hayate Matsuda had a go from distance but sent his effort well over the bar (90’+4). Then, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Hannover found an equaliser. Mustapha Bundu swung in a cross from the right and Benedikt Pichler headed home from close range to make it 2-2.
Saturday night in Darmstadt
Matchday 27 sees the Knappen face another side chasing promotion. Miron Muslic’s side are away next Saturday (21/3) against SV Darmstadt 98 at 20:30 CET.
