2-0 defeat away to KSC

First start for Younes, league debut for Wasinski

The Royal Blues made three changes for the trip to Karlsruhe. Felipe Sanchez, Martin Wasinski and Amin Younes replaced Paul Seguin (groin issue), Ibrahima Cissé (on the bench with a stomach bug) and Ilyes Hamache (also on the bench). It was Younes’ first start in Schalke colours and Wasinski’s league debut for the club. The Belgian previously played the full game in the DFB-Pokal win at VfR Aalen.

Tackles fly in early on

The home team had more of the ball and the better attacks in the opening exchanges. Full-back Lasse Günther in particular threatened on a number of occasions down the left wing. His most dangerous cross came after 10 minutes, though Budu Zivzivadze couldn’t get his effort on target. The flag went up for offside anyway – VAR would have examined more closely had the ball gone in.

Schalke grew into the game as the first half went on. Tobias Mohr tried to catch out goalkeeper Max Weiß with a shot from a tight angle, but the KSC keeper was on his toes (21’). The Royal Blues struggled generally to get shots away before the break.

KSC hit the post, then Zivzivadze scores

Marvin Wanitzek’s free-kick in the 39th minute almost resulted in the opening goal after a flick on by Fabian Schleusener hit the far post. Marcel Beifus couldn’t quite get to the ball before it hit the woodwork.

The hosts did then score in the third minute of injury time. Schalke failed to get the ball to safety as Adrian Gantenbein scuffed his clearance. Budu Zivzivadze gained possession and slotted it past Heekeren into the bottom corner for 1-0.

Good chances for KSC at the start of the second half

Karlsruhe enjoyed a bright start to the second half and had several opportunities to make it 2-0. Marvin Wanitzek’s free-kick came to Fabian Schleusener in the six-yard box, though his shot was excellently saved by Heekeren (47’). The home fans were celebrating shortly afterwards, albeit not for long. The flag had gone up before Budu Zivzivadze scored as the ball had gone out of play (48’). Schleusener headed wide from a great position with an hour played.

Schalke’s best period of the second half came following this Schleusener header. Ron Schallenberg nodded a Tobias Mohr corner over the bar (62’) and then Kenan Karaman played it to Moussa Sylla, whose shot cleared the goal (63’). Karaman himself couldn’t get enough on his header from Mohr’s free-kick nine minutes later.

Zivzivadze gets his second

Instead of a Schalke equaliser, KSC doubled their lead – and again Budu Zivzivadze got the goal. Wanitzek’s delivery from the left wasn’t converted by Schleusener as Derry John Murkin cleared the ball off the line, only for Zivzivadze to convert from close range (73’). Karlsruhe closed the game out comfortably with no further goals for either side.

Another Friday night game up next

The Royal Blues are also in action on a Friday (20/9) on matchday 6. SV Darmstadt 98 visit the VELTINS-Arena for a 18:30 CEST kick off.