Marcin Kaminski rewards strong performance with last-minute winner

Pálsson returns from suspension

Head coach Dimitrios Grammozis made only one change to the side that defeated FC Ingolstadt 3-0. Captain Victor Pálsson was named in place of Florian Flick in defensive midfield after returning from suspension.

Aydin hits the post before being forced off

Schalke were the dominant team in the opening phase and had their first chance through Rodri Zalazar within 60 seconds. Hannover’s Ron-Robert Zieler was on hand to parry the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the area. S04 continued to apply the pressure and had more chances through a blocked Bülter shot (3’) as well as a Terodde header from around 12 metres (9’) and a Drexler effort from similar range (10’).

In the 12th minute, Mehmet Can Aydin came the closest to giving his side the lead as he received the ball out wide from Dominick Drexler and fired an effort from inside the area. The shot beat the goalkeeper but bounced clear off the inside of the post. Six minute later, the full back had to leave the field with an injury and was replaced by Reinhold Ranftl.

Thiaw heads wide, Zieler denies Ouwejan

The hosts managed to come into the game more after the opening 20 minutes but Schalke goalkeeper Martin Fraisl was still left relatively untroubled. There was more action at the other end, when Malick Thiaw met a Thomoas Ouwejan free kick but couldn’t get his header on target (32’), before seeing an effort from outside the area blocked by a defender (34’).

Three minutes before the end of the first half, Ouwejan came close to his first goal in Schalke colours. The full back hit a strong effort with his left from around 22 metres, but Zieler produced a good stop to deny the Dutchman and send the two sides into half time level.

More big chances not taken by S04

The Royal Blues set the tone early on in the second half once again. Marius Bülter shot  at the onrushing Zieler (47’), before Ouwejan’s shot missed the target a minute later. In th 53rd minute, Schalke were agonisingly close to finally taking the lead, when Victor Pálsson’s shot deflected into the path of Marcin Kaminski, who produced a reaction shot but hit it too centrally, allowing the impressive Zieler to make a last-second save and parry for a corner. The goalkeeper produced another close-range save from Dominik Drexler’s header from the resulting kick (54’). Ouwejan then tried his look again but Zieler denied the full back from around seven metres out (55’).

The S04 defence continued to hold firm, allowing no chances for the hosts. The notable moments were again at the other end of the pitch, this time Reinhold Ranftl cutting in from the right in the 69th minute, but his shot from 20 metres went over the bar. 60 seconds later, a diving Simon Terodde missed the target with a close-range header after a low Ouwejan cross.

Kaminski with added time winner

The final stage of the game saw little action for either side, but the game was taking place with the home side camped in their own half. Unsatisfied with just a point, Dimitrios Grammozis’ side continued to look for the seemingly elusive goal and were finally rewarded in the fifth of six additional minutes! Dominick Drexler’s cross was flicked on by Pálsson to Marcin Kaminski, who controlled the ball with one touch before shooting on the turn into the left of the goal to clinch victory and all three points for the Royal Blues.

Back at home to host Dynamo Dresden

Next week, Schalke 04 will be back in Gelsenkirchen as they take on Dynamo Dresen in the VELTINS-Arena. Kick off is 20:30 CEST on Saturday (23/10).