Ba scores the winner as S04 defeat KSC 2-1

Seguin and Bulut return to the side

Paul Seguin was back in the starting XI after missing the trip to play 1. FC Köln due to suspension. The midfielder took Max Grüger’s place in the side. Taylan Bulut also returned to the team, coming in for Tomas Kalas. The youngster was ill for last weekend’s defeat. U19s attacker Zaid Tchibara was included in the squad for the first time and came on in the second half to make his professional debut.

Ba scores his first goal for Schalke

Schalke had the first chance of the game after just three minutes: Janik Bachmann’s shot was blocked after he was played the ball by Kenan Karaman. Three minutes later, the midfielder found the back of the net to give the Royal Blues an early lead. Tobias Mohr’s cross from the left wing evaded everyone in the middle, allowing Bachmann to run onto the ball at the back post and slot it through the legs of the goalkeeper (6’).

Karlsruhe took a while to respond to going behind and Justin Heekeren was able to enjoy a quiet start to the game thanks to his defence. Leon Jensen’s effort from distance cleared the bar (15’), while Paul Seguin’s strike at the other end also ended up in the stands (22’).

The visitors were able to draw level after 25 minutes. David Herold’s cross from the left found Leon Jensen in space and the KSC man’s half-volley left Heekeren with no chance at his near post. Schalke aimed to immediately fight back and their captain was at the forefront of their efforts. Kenan Karaman initially couldn’t get a shot off in the 27th minute, before testing out goalkeeper Max Weiß with a dipping shot from the edge of the box, which Weiß pushed wide for a corner (32’).

The resulting corner then provided Schalke’s second goal of the day. The ball eventually dropped for Pape Meïssa Ba and the striker bundled the ball home from a few yards out to score his first goal for the club after joining from Grenoble Foot in January. While Schalke remained on top for the remainder of the first half, it was Karlsruhe who had the final attempt before the break. Mikkel Kaufmann looked to get the better of Heekeren in the 45th minute, but Schalke’s goalkeeper preserved their advantage going into the interval.

KSC equaliser ruled out for offside

As was the case at the start of the game, S04 had the first opportunity of the second half. Marcin Kaminski passed the ball to Kenan Karaman and his left-footed strike was tipped over the bar by Max Weiß. Karlsruhe had the ball in the back of the net for a second time in the 52nd minute, though the flag immediately went up for offside after Fabian Schleusener had looked to have scored.

Pape Meïssa Ba headed a Tobias Mohr cross from the left flank wide with around an hour played, while Kenan Karaman shot over after dribbling past a KSC defender (69’).

Karlsruhe were lacking a cutting edge in the final third and Schalke’s defence remained compact as they protected their lead. It took the Royal Blues until the 86th minute to threaten again themselves: Karaman powerfully headed Bulut’s cross just wide.

KSC threw the kitchen sink at S04 at the death, but, aside from captain Marvin Wanitzek’s misdirected volley, failed to even get a shot away. It therefore meant that the Royal Blues claimed their second home win of 2025, moving them up to 11th in the table.

A trip to Darmstadt up next

FC Schalke 04’s next game is on Sunday (23/2) away against SV Darmstadt 98. The match at the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor will kick off at 13:30 CET.