25,000 Schalke fans in attendance for 2-1 win in Berlin

Three changes – Karaman returns to the starting XI

Head coach Kees van Wonderen had captain Kenan Karaman and winger Tobias Mohr available again after the duo had missed the last two matches due to illness. Karaman returned to the starting XI, as did Anton Donkor and Pape Meïssa Ba. Derry John Murkin, Amin Younes and Aymen Barkok, who all started the 1-0 win over Preußen Münster last Friday, dropped to the bench. Max Grüger was also among the substitutes after serving a suspension for five yellow cards last time out.

Antwi-Adjei’s shot blocked by Dárdai

Schalke had more possession in the first period and were able to camp themselves in Hertha’s half for lengthy spells before the break. The first notable attack by the Royal Blues was in the fourth minute: Paul Seguin’s corner was directed towards goal by Marcin Kaminski, though the centre-back couldn’t get enough on his shot to really trouble Hertha goalkeeper Tjark Ernst.

Seven minutes later, Christopher Antwi-Adjei somewhat lost his footing as he took a shot and the ball flew over the bar. The winger was again involved shortly afterwards after Paul Seguin picked him out in the box with a precise pass. Antwi-Adjei took the ball past Toni Leistner but then saw his attempt blocked by Márton Dárdai (14’). The hosts looked to sit back and wait for moments to counter, though the Royal Blues defended well in the first half and that meant Loris Karius was rarely called upon.

Kalas heads in at the back post

Schalke were able to take the lead in the 27th minute after a mistake by Tjark Ernst. The Hertha keeper misjudged Paul Seguin’s corner and that allowed Tomas Kalas to head in from close range at the back post. The centre-back got the better of Linus Gechter to bag his first goal of the season.

Although S04 continued to attack and search for a second goal, they were extremely fortunate not to be level at half time. Fabian Reese’s cross from the right wing found Deyovaisio Zeefuik in space at the back post, however his diving header from five yards out went just wide (40’).

Reese equalises – Karaman scores from the spot

Hertha were much improved at the start of the second half, particularly in the final third. Just three minutes after the restart, Jonjoe Kenny tested Loris Karius out with a powerful shot from distance, with Michaël Cuisance then trying his luck moments later. Karius was on hand to push both shots away from his goal, though he was soon beaten for the first time in Schalke colours. Deyovaisio Zeefuik played the ball to Fabian Reese, who left Tomas Kalas on the floor and then beat Karius at his near post to equalise for the Berliners (51’).

The Knappen were able to almost immediately retake the lead after Reese’s goal. Ibrahim Maza fouled Pape Meïssa Ba in the box and Kenan Karaman stepped up to slot the ball past Ernst for 2-1 (55’). The home team wanted a penalty of their own six minutes later after a collision between Linus Gechter and Marcin Kaminski, but referee Timo Gerach ignored the protests and let play continue.

Hertha waste several good chances

Stefan Leitl’s team increased the pressure as the second half went on and created several good chances. Janik Bachmann got in the way of Luca Schuler’s shot (67’) and then Zeefuik missed another close-range opportunity with a diving header, practically a carbon copy of his chance just before the break (69’). With a quarter of an hour left to play, Fabian Reese’s overhead kick narrowly missed the target from within the six-yard box (75’).

Schalke were less threatening after the break, with their one notable chance coming from an indirect free-kick in the box after Tjark Ernst had picked up Toni Leistner’s back pass. Paul Seguin teed up Kenan Karaman, whose shot was blocked by Zeefuik (81’).

Hertha had two more massive chances in the final 10 minutes. Substitute Luca Wollschläger couldn’t get anything on Fabian Reese’s cross to the back post (85’) and then Marten Winkler failed to direct Jonjoe Kenny’s cross to the far post goalwards (87’).

S04 kept the ball nicely in the five minutes of injury time to eventually seal an important 2-1 victory on the road.

Hannover at home on a Friday

S04’s next game is on Friday (14/3) at 18:30 CET at home to Hannover 96.