Late KSC goal consigns Schalke to 2-1 defeat

Three changes to the starting XI

Vitalie Becker, who was rested for Wednesday’s game (29/10), came back in for Finn Porath on the left flank. Amin Younes was handed his first start of the season, replacing Janik Bachmann, who was a late injury concern. Hasan Kuruçay was also not involved, despite being initially named in the side. The centre-back felt some discomfort during the warm-up and therefore had his place in the starting XI taken by Felipe Sanchez.

Luca Vozar from Schalke’s U19s made a first-team squad for the first time and was joined by fellow youngster Mika Wallentowitz, who came off the bench in S04’s last league game against Darmstadt to make his professional debut.

Both sides go close before the break

The game was intense from the first whistle, with the rhythm constantly disrupted by frequent stoppages. Neither team shied away from challenges, and Mertcan Ayhan was shown the first yellow card of the afternoon inside the opening 30 seconds. The VAR was also called into action early on. Five minutes in, a possible foul by Adrian Gantenbein on Christoph Kobald was checked after referee Dr Max Burda had initially given offside. The original decision stood and no penalty was awarded.

After a lively start from the hosts, Schalke gradually took control. The danger mostly came from set-pieces: Nikola Katic had two efforts following dead balls, but both went narrowly over (10’, 12’). Moussa Sylla then rose highest from an Amin Younes corner in the 16th minute and powered a header towards goal, only for Christoph Kobald to intervene at the last second and turn the ball over his own bar.

12 minutes later, Moussa Sylla tried an acrobatic effort in the box, but his overhead kick was dealt with comfortably by KSC goalkeeper Hans Christian Bernat. Ten minutes on, he appeared to be beaten. From another Younes corner, Ayhan met the delivery with a firm header that looked destined for the bottom corner until Rafael Pinto Pedrosa cleared on the line.

Barely two minutes later, Kenan Karaman burst into the KSC area and fired a shot off from a tight angle, but Bernat reacted well and kept it out, denying the Schalke captain. At the other end, Loris Karius had little to do for most of the first half but showed what he’s capable of in stoppage time. Fabian Schleusener was slipped through and got his shot away, but Schalke’s number 1 diverted the attempt clear for a corner. Moments later, Adrian Gantenbein was shown a yellow card for protesting an alleged offside – his fifth of the season, meaning he will be suspended for the next match against Elversberg.

KSC turn the game around

Schalke started the second half on the front foot, controlling the opening exchanges without finding space in dangerous areas. As before the break, the flow of the game was repeatedly broken up by minor fouls. Finn Porath replaced Amin Younes for the restart, a precaution after the midfielder picked up a slight knock.

Clear chances were few and far between after the interval, with both defensive lines standing firm and most of the play taking place in midfield. Then, in the 65th minute, a set-piece helped break the deadlock. After a Porath corner, Marcel Franke pulled Nikola Katic down inside the box and referee Dr. Max Burda immediately pointed to the spot. Kenan Karaman stepped up and confidently rolled his penalty low into the left corner to make it 1-0.

Karlsruhe went close almost instantly, with Philipp Förster smashing the ball against the right post, though the effort would not have stood due to teammate Fabian Schleusener being offside in the build-up. However, the hosts drew level in the 76th minute. Marcel Beifus rose to meet a Herold corner from the left and headed in from close range for 1-1.

The game opened up in the closing stages as both teams chased a winner. Schalke had a promising break in the 83rd minute when Kenan Karaman burst into the box and looked to square for Moussa Sylla, only for Marcel Franke to intervene at the last second and turn it behind. Five minutes later substitute Peter Remmert almost restored the lead, but his effort from inside the area flew just wide. Almost immediately at the other end, Leon Opitz went close, his strike from the left side of the box rolling inches past the far post. Karlsruhe eventually found the decisive moment in added time. After Christoph Kobald flicked the ball on, Fabian Schleusener steered home from close range to make it 2-1, securing all three points for the hosts.

Elversberg at home

Following back-to-back away games in Darmstadt and Karlsruhe, FC Schalke return home to the VELTINS-Arena next Saturday (8/11). The opponents are SV Elversberg for another 13:00 CET kick off.