Sylla and Karaman both score in 2-2 draw at Magdeburg

Three competitive debuts

Ilyes Hamache, who joined on Tuesday from FC Valenciennes, was handed his first start. The other three other changes from the team that won 2-0 in the DFB-Pokal at VfR Aalen saw Justin Heekeren, Paul Seguin and Ibrahima Cissé all come into the starting XI. Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, Martin Wasinski and Taylan Bulut dropped to the bench, while Ron Schallenberg was suspended after his red card in the last league game at Nürnberg.

Amin Younes made his first competitive appearance in Schalke colours after just over an hour played. The former Germany international had been struggling with a knee issue sustained in pre-season. Christopher Antwi-Adjei, who signed for S04 on Friday, came on in the 72nd minute to also make his debut for the Knappen.

Sylla scores with the first chance of the game

The game got off to a good start for Schalke. After just eight minutes, Moussa Sylla produced a stunning piece of play in the final third to open the scoring. The Royal Blues won possession back in midfield and Kenan Karaman then played it to the summer signing. He cut inside onto his right foot and bent a brilliant shot into the far corner, leaving FCM goalkeeper Dominik Reimann with no chance.

Sylla was involved again nine minutes later with S04’s next chance. He ran onto a ball over the Magdeburg defence, but was off balance after a little nudge from Heber and his eventual effort was straight at Reimann (17’). The home team started to have more of the ball and control of the game, though, aside from two corners for FCM, the first half an hour saw few chances at either end.

Magdeburg turned the game on its head in the final minutes of the first half. From a corner, Derry John Murkin slipped while attempting to clear the danger and the ball fell at the feet of Xavier Amaechi. He played it to Marcus Mathisen in the six-yard box and he produced a powerful finish from close range to level proceedings (39’). Things got even worse for Schalke too before the break. In the third minute of injury time, Justin Heekeren made a fine save from Martijn Kaars, but the rebound eventually rolled over the line despite Mehmet Can Aydin’s best efforts.

Action-packed final few minutes

The second half started with a chance for S04: Kenan Karaman’s attempt from a tight angle was saved by Reimann (52’). Magdeburg stepped things up after that and created a number of opportunities for themselves. Heekeren was on hand to deny Mohammed El Hankouri twice (54’, 58’) and Tatsuya Ito (57’), while Martijn Kaars flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box (57’).

Coach Geraerts reacted by bringing on two new players for the wings. Anton Donkor and Amin Younes came on for Tobias Mohr and Ilyes Hamache (63’). Although Donkor had an impact on the left, Schalke then had to deal with the loss of Paul Seguin. The midfielder, who missed the games in Nürnberg and Aalen, was forced off with a fresh issue. Seguin was replaced by Christopher Antwi-Adjei (72’). He marked his debut in some style, providing the equaliser just four minutes later. His cross from the byline on the right wing was headed in by Karaman. The captain got to the ball first ahead of goalkeeper Reimann at the near post to make it 2-2 (76’).

Schalke now had the momentum on their side as both teams searched for a winning goal. However, the hosts firstly saw Aleksa Marusic’s shot saved by Heekeren (87’), and then referee Timo Gerach pointed to the spot for a penalty after a tackle by Felipe Sanchez. Thankfully from an S04 perspective, VAR recommended Gerach to watch the incident back and he overturned his decision (90’).

The visitors then had a couple of openings in injury time. Donkor couldn’t get a shot away in the box (90+4’), then Karaman’s free-kick from just outside the area was parried to safety by Reimann. The final minute of the six added on saw Antwi-Adjei’s shot blocked, bringing an end to an entertaining match.

Köln up next

Schalke’s next game is at home to 1. FC Köln next Sunday (1/9). Kick off at the VELTINS-ARENA will be at 13:30 CEST. The relegated side picked up their first win of the new campaign on matchday 3, hammering Eintracht Braunschweig 5-0.