Defeat at home to Holstein Kiel

First start for Topp

Thomas Reis made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 in Braunschweig last Sunday. Henning Matriciani replaced Niklas Tauer (missed training this week) at right-back and Danny Latza came in for Lino Tempelmann (bench) in central midfield alongside Ron Schallenberg. Keke Topp and Assan Ouédraogo took the places of Bryan Lasme and Kenan Karaman in the front three – the two attackers missed out due to respective muscle problems. This marked Topp’s first appearance of the season and his first ever start for the club. Cedric Brunner (precaution after a foot injury), Dominick Drexler (muscle injury) and Sebastian Polter (cut to his foot) were all unavailable.

Pichler puts Kiel ahead

Kiel had the first chance of an even first 15 minutes or so, with the visiting side breaking quickly after winning possession back in midfield. Steven Skrzybski’s low ball across the six-yard box was initially missed by Shuto Machino, while mBenedikt Pichler at the far post could only divert it wide, though a potential goal wouldn’t have stood due to Machino being in an offside position (5’). The youngster Keke Topp had Schalke’s first shot of the evening, dragging his effort wide from 25 yards out (9’). The club from up north took the lead with 15 minutes played. Benedikt Pichler, who saw his header comfortably saved by Marius Müller three minutes before his goal, slid in on the rebound after Tom Rothe had hit the far post on his left foot to make it 1-0.

S04’s first opportunity after going behind came nine minutes later. Simon Terodde held the ball up and teed it up for Danny Latza on the edge of the box, but he could only fire his shot over the bar (24’). Four minutes after that, Terodde himself headed an Ouwejan free-kick wide (28’). It looked like Kiel had scored an almost exact replica of the opening goal in the 29th minute, however the linesman’s flag prevented this from becoming reality. This time, Steven Skrzybski’s shot hit the far post and Pichler again scored the rebound – albeit from an offside position.

Schallenberg sent off

The Royal Blues had a man sent off just before half time after Ron Schallenberg brought down Steven Skrzybski as the last defender (39’). Referee Deniz Aytekin issued him with a red card for the professional foul, with the fouled striker himself taking the free-kick, whistling it just past the post.

The home fans were hoping for a penalty in the 42nd minute after Assan Ouédraogo went down in the box following contact from Marvin Schulz. It wasn’t enough for referee Aytekin to point to the spot though. The 17-year-old was involved again a minute later, dribbling into the box and forcing Timon Weiner into a good save from his left foot.

The final clear-cut chance of the first half belonged to the Storks. Skrzybski burst clean through one-on-one against Marius Müller and attempted to lob the ball over him, only for Müller to stick his hand out brilliantly to keep it at 1-0 going into the break.

Machino adds a second for Kiel

Kiel, with their man advantage, were able to knock the ball about nicely in the second half, whereas Schalke were generally relying on Assan Ouédraogo’s dribbling skills. Holstein were often able to get a foot in and one such example led to their second goal. Tom Rothe’s low cross from the left flank found Shuto Machino at the far post. He got in front of substitute Joey Müller to pick out the back of the net for 2-0 (59’).

S04 struggled to find gaps in the Kiel defence as they searched for a way back into the game. Another substitute, Yusuf Kabadayi (65’), and Joey Müller (71’) both had half chances that led to nothing. The away team had four good opportunities to score more goals in the final 10 minutes. Firstly, Lewis Holtby missed the target by a yard or two (81’), then Müller punched a powerful strike from the ex-Schalke midfielder away from goal. Nicolai Remberg hit the post and his teammate Holmberg Fridjonsson headed wide in the space of a minute (88’).

A trip to Wiesbaden up next

S04’s next match is on 2nd September away to SV Wehen Wiesbaden. Kick off is at 13:00 CEST.