5-2 defeat away to Hertha

Ouédraogo makes his return

Danny Latza replaced the suspended Paul Seguin in the starting XI, while Henning Matriciani deputised for Brandon Soppy. The right-back missed out due to muscular problems. Assan Ouédraogo made his return from injury in the 71st minute. He tore a syndesmosis ligament in his right foot while playing for Germany at the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia back in November.

Two goals apiece for Terodde and Tabakovic

The game between two sides in the first division last season didn’t take long to get going. The home team went ahead after just two minutes via Haris Tabakovic. Jeremy Dudziak turned Ron Schallenberg inside out in the box, got to the byline and looked to put a cross in. Tomas Kalas slid in and deflected the ball onto the post, before it rolled along the line for Tabakovic to tap in from a yard out.

S04 responded immediately thanks to their captain. Bryan Lasme’s shot was only parried by goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck, straight to the feet of Simon Terodde, and he made no mistake from close range (5’). The hosts soon regained the lead though. Former Schalke winger Fabian Reese got down the left and crossed for Tabakovic, with another simple finish for the Swiss striker making it 2-1 to Hertha (13’). Marius Müller had pushed a Tabakovic shot to safety just a few minutes before his second goal.

Hertha continued to push for a third goal and came close on several occasions. Marton Dardai’s low drive from the edge of the box went just wide (18’), then Müller saved Reese’s deflected strike from distance (21’). After Yusuf Kabadayi’s left-footed attempt went just wide at the other end, Terodde got S04’s second equaliser of the afternoon. Kenan Karaman dribbled past a defender and then had his shot blocked, but it fell to Terodde and he made no mistake (26’).

Schalke’s number nine could have had a first-half hat-trick too. His volley from a high ball was saved by Marius Gersbeck at the second attempt (29’). There was one more goal scored in the first half, however it was by the team from the capital. Tabakovic played it through to Marten Winkler and he cut back onto his left foot before firing it past Müller (39’). Youngster Ibrahim Maza almost added a fourth on the stroke of half time, hitting the side-netting from a decent position for Hertha.

Two more goals for Hertha in the second half

Schalke started the second half with a decent move. Kenan Karaman played Bryan Lasme through on goal, but Marton Dardai got back in time to clear the danger. Ibrahim Maza’s corner almost caught out Marius Müller in the 51st minute, though the goalkeeper did well to tip it wide.

Marten Winkler got his second goal of the game after 56 minutes, heading in Reese’s cross at the back post for 4-2. Tabakovic had a shot saved by Müller two minutes later and then the S04 shot-stopper did really well to deny Winkler a hat-trick with a fingertip save (64’).

Substitute Florian Niederlechner killed off any hopes S04 fans had with 15 minutes left to play, converting from a tight angle after Reese slipped him in behind the Schalke back-line.

Simon Terodde missed a decent opportunity for his third in the 81st minute as he failed to get enough behind his shot from Dominick Drexler’s smart pass. Keke Topp had the ball in the Hertha net at the death, but his goal didn’t stand as the ball hit his arm shortly before he took the shot (89’).

Friendly in Gütersloh during the international break

It’s now time for the first international break of 2024, meaning S04’s next competitive game is not until Easter Sunday (31/3). Karlsruher SC are the visitors for a 13:30 CET kick off. Karel Geraerts’ side will play a friendly at fourth-division side FC Gütersloh during the break. That match is scheduled for 19:00 CET on Wednesday (20/3).