10-man Schalke earn hard-fought point against HSV

Three changes to the starting XI

Derry John Murkin, Max Grüger and Tobias Mohr were all recalled to the starting XI, replacing Anton Donkor, Aymen Barkok and Amin Younes. Janik Bachmann was back in the squad after recovering from a calf problem, as was Emil Højlund, who hadn’t featured at all so far in 2025 due to a thigh injury. Adrian Gantenbein was also named among the substitutes after missing last week’s game due to suspension.

Karaman sent off before Schallenberg heads home

The game began terribly from a Schalke perspective: Kenan Karaman was sent off for a bad challenge on Jonas Meffert in the third minute by referee Harm Osmers after intervention from Benjamin Cortus on VAR duty. However, the Knappen were able to respond positively to losing their captain so early on. Paul Seguin played a long ball over the HSV defence for Tobias Mohr and he squared it for Moussa Sylla. The striker was denied from close range by goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes (8’).

HSV’s number 1 was beaten after a quarter of an hour after Silvan Hefti fouled Mehmet Can Aydin just outside the area. Tobias Mohr whipped the ball in from the right wing and Ron Schallenberg flicked it on with his head from a few yards out to open the scoring.

Sahiti scores twice after Murkin goes close

The visitors enjoyed a large share of possession with their extra player, though it took them a while to break down Schalke’s defence. The Royal Blues could even have gone 2-0 up with half an hour played. Paul Seguin’s excellently taken corner arrived in the six-yard box at real pace and was headed just over by Derry John Murkin. At the other end, Ludovit Reis showed his class with a quick turn and shot, firing just past the far post (31’).

Hamburg created more and more chances as the first half went on. Justin Heekeren was able to make two good saves against Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer, firstly blocking an effort with his body (37’) and then tipping a curling effort from distance wide (40’). The Rothosen turned the game on its head in the space of a few minutes just before the break. Firstly, Jean-Luc Dompé’s cross to the back post was headed in by Emir Sahiti from a few yards out (41’). The winger then got his and HSV’s second less than a minute later. Dompé passed to Königsdörffer on the left and he crossed for Sahiti, who again made no mistake from close range. Although the flag went up for offside, the goal was eventually given a three-minute VAR check, meaning S04 trailed 2-1 at half time.

HSV with the better chances after the break

Kees van Wonderen made one switch for the second half, bringing on Tomas Kalas for Max Grüger and therefore pushing Ron Schallenberg up into midfield. The away team continued to knock the ball about nicely and had the first chances after the interval. Ludovit Reis’ attempt was too central (47’), Justin Heekeren blocked Königsdörffer’s near-post strike with his legs (49’), substitute Adam Karabec narrowly missed the target from distance (51’) and Jean-Luc Dompé also came close with a right-footed shot from around 15 yards out (59’).

The game was stopped for several minutes with just over an hour played due to away fans letting off a number of fireworks that landed on the pitch and in the stands.

Sylla levels it for S04

Schalke started to attack more with around 15 minutes left to play and created a few decent opportunities to score. Tomas Kalas headed a Tobias Mohr corner over (74’) and then Mohr himself couldn’t keep his headed attempt down from an Adrian Gantenbein cross three minutes later.

The Royal Blues kept on going and managed to find an equaliser with nine minutes left on the watch. Adrian Gantenbein headed the ball across the six-yard box towards Moussa Sylla, who got the better of Dennis Hadzikadunic in the air to nod the ball into the far corner for 2-2 (81’). Emil Højlund, who made his comeback in the closing stages, could even have made it 3-2 with his header after Daniel Heuer Fernandes couldn’t properly deal with Taylan Bulut’s ball into the box. The visiting side threw everything they could at Schalke in added time but the Knappen held firm to frustrate their opponents.

A trip to Kaiserslautern up next

Matchday 31 sees S04 travel to play 1. FC Kaiserslautern. The match will be played next Sunday (27/4) at 13:30 CEST.