Schalke defeated 3-0 by FC Nürnberg

Karius absent for happy reason – Porath returns to squad

Head coach Miron Muslic approached the task awaiting the Royal Blues in Nuremberg by making three changes to the side that defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-0. Kevin Müller replaced Loris Karius between the sticks. Karius became a father for the second time – he celebrated the birth of his son Leonardo together with his wife Diletta. Vitalie Becker and Felipe Sanchez were also included in the starting XI in place of defenders Moussa Ndiaye (rest) and Hasan Kuruçay (ankle problems). Finn Porath was also named in the matchday squad for the first time in more than two months after sustaining a thigh injury.

Schallenberg scores unfortunate own goal

Surrounded by some impressive choreography in the stands, referee Felix Prigan got the game underway. The game ended up being interrupted for around five minutes shortly after that, however. Following a collision with teammate Javier Fernandez, Adam Markhiyev had to receive medical treatment on the pitch but was ultimately able to play on.

The Royal Blues approached the game with the same intensity as in previous weeks. In the ninth minute, they were unlucky not to get a sight at goal, as Dejan Ljubičić only just missed a challenge with Christian Mathenia after the goalkeeper had come out from has net to dribble past the Schalke attacker. Five minutes later, S04 had their first real chance of the game, though Mertcan Ayhan was unable to control his headed effort, and it flew off target.

The hosts ended up breaking the deadlock, but they did so in very fortunate fashion. A delivery from a free-kick from the left flank found Julian Justvan on the right-hand side of the six-yard box, and the midfielder squared the ball to Fabio Gruber. His shot on goal first took a deflection off Felipe Sanchez, then Ron Schallenberg, eventually ending up in the back of the Schalke net after bouncing off the latter’s knee (20’).

The visitors only just missed the opportunity to reply instantly. Following some nice combination play with Kenan Karaman, Adil Aouchiche was denied from an acute angle by a quick reaction save from Christian Mathenia. The rebound then fell to Soufiane El-Faouzi, whose deflected effort from around eleven yards out went wide of the target (22’).

Koudossou adds to FCN advantage

Five minutes later, FCN looked to have scored their second goal of the evening, before their celebrations were cut short. Goalscorer Mohamed Ali Zoma was adjudged to have been standing in an offside position during the build-up. After that, the game fell into more of a rhythm, with most of the action being concentrated in the middle of the park. Both teams lacked the final ball to create clear-cut chances during this phase of the match.

Overall, it was the home side who created the more promising opportunities. In the 44th minute, Finn Ole Becker laid the ball off to Julian Justvan with a backheel, whose curled effort was centimetres away from doubling FCN’s advantage. After that, Mohamed Ali Zoma had the ball in the back of the net once more, but again it was ruled out due to an offside in the build-up (45’).

Nürnberg eventually extended their lead shortly before the interval. After a lovely pass from Adam Markhiyev, Henri Koudossou drove down the left wing, cut into the box and smashed the ball past Kevin Müller from close range, finding the bottom right corner to make it 2-0 going into the break (45+1).

Big chances for both teams after the break

At the beginning of the second half, Miron Muslic brough Moussa Ndiaye on for Vitalie Becker at the left-back position. It didn’t take long for the action to get going again, with big chances falling to both sides. First, Henri Koudossou latched onto an outside-of-the-boot pass from Mohamed Ali Zoma and hit the woodwork from a tight angle. Directly after that, Luca Lochoshvili blocked Soufiane El-Faouzi’s effort, and Christian Mathenia could only parry Adil Aouchiche’s cross back into the danger zone. The rebound landed at Kenan Karaman’s feet who fired over from five yards out (47’).

Less than a minute later, Moussa Sylla’s shot also flew over after the Mali international was teed up by Adil Aouchiche. At the other end of the pitch, Danilo Soares’ powerful strike rippled the side netting (48’). The Nürnberg full-back was also at the centre of the action in the 55th minute, as he tested Kevin Müller with an attempt from range. The Schalke keeper was able to tip the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, Javier Fernandez’s curled effort from the left corner of the penalty area fizzed just past the far post.

It remained an end-to-end affair as the encounter drew on. Another effort from Moussa Sylla went off target (59’), before Julian Justvan cut inside again and was a hair’s breadth from adding a third for FCN. After that, Danilo Soares headed over from a central position (64’).

Zoma adds to FCN lead, Sanchez hits the woodwork

Moussa Sylla squandered another opportunity to get one back for Schalke following a cross from Timo Becker (67’), before Nürnberg once again extended their lead. After Julian Justvan saw another effort miss the target (70’), Mohamed Ali Zoma bagged the hosts’ third of the night. Finn Ole Becker threaded a pinpoint pass through to Zoma who ran through to be one-on-one with Müller, eventually finding the back of the net via the inside of the post to make it 3-0 (72’).

The ball simply wouldn’t go over the line for the visitors. Felipe Sanchez tried his luck after picking up the ball from a corner but was denied a goal by the upright (78’). Müller was able to deny Rabby Nzingoula in a one-on-one scenario at the other end of the pitch (80’).

Towards the end of the game, the action slowed somewhat. In the 90th minute, Mertcan Ayhan’s header from around seven yards out went just wide of the target. After three minutes of added time, referee Felix Prigan brought the game to a close, with a 3-0 scoreline in favour of Nürnberg.

Final game of the season against Braunschweig

On the 34th and final matchday of the season, S04 will host Eintracht Braunschweig at the VELTINS-Arena. Like all other second-division games that matchday, the clash will kick off at 15:30 CEST on Sunday (17/5). After the game, the Royal Blues will lift the 2. Bundesliga trophy.