S04 beaten 3-1 in Nürnberg after controversial red card

Højlund handed his first start

There were three changes to the team that won 5-1 against Eintracht Braunschweig last weekend. Tomas Kalas, who missed out due to a patellar tendon issue, was replaced in the defence by Ibrahima Cissé, who came on in the closing stages on matchday 1 after returning from the Olympics. Paul Seguin was initially named in the starting XI but had to pull out after the warm-up. He had only trained individually during the week. Marcin Kaminski replaced the midfielder in the team. Emil Højlund started his first competitive game up front for the club. The young Danish forward took Mehmet Can Aydin’s place in the XI. Moussa Sylla moved to the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Opening goal followed by a red card

The Royal Blues began with confidence and looked to put FCN under pressure by pressing them high up the pitch. This almost paid dividends right away as a turnover in possession in the midfield got Schalke into the opposition box within the first two minutes, though Moussa Sylla couldn’t get a shot away. S04’s first attempt came after 14 minutes through Emil Højlund. His shot following a Mohr pass went well wide.

Nürnberg’s first notable attack was in the 17th minute. Lukas Schleimer was played in behind, however Justin Heekeren was quick off his line to clear the danger. The Royal Blues were slowly improving and had a good opportunity to open the scoring four minutes later. A throw-in from Gantenbein was played to Kenan Karaman by Janik Bachmann. The captain’s attempt went just past the far post (21’).

Bachmann then had a great chance himself seven minutes after Karaman’s, heading a perfectly timed cross from Gantenbein towards goal, only for keeper Jan Reichert to parry it to safety (28’). With three minutes left before the interval, Ibrahima Cissé headed a Mohr cross over the bar (42’).

The pair combined again on the stroke of half time and on this occasion they were successful. The centre-back bundled home a Mohr free-kick to give Schalke a deserved lead (45’). After Højlund’s half-volley rose over the bar a minute later, the Knappen were dealt a real blow as Ron Schallenberg was shown a second yellow card. Referee Nicolas Winter believed that the midfielder had fouled Casper Jander, whereas in reality the Nürnberg man had actually caught Schalke’s number 6 instead.

Game turned on its head by FCN

FCN took full advantage of their extra man at the start of the second half. Substitute Enrico Valentini put a cross in from the right side and Lukas Schleimer headed in for 1-1 (47’). Former Schalke academy player Florian Pick then fired just wide from the edge of the box (51’).

The hosts went ahead in the 56th minute. Pick was slipped in behind and got to the byline, from where he crossed for Caspar Jander. His shot got the better of Heekeren and Marcin Kaminski on the line couldn’t block it.

Nürnberg lost their numerical advantage midway through the second half. The goalscorer of their second goal, Jander, fouled Adrian Gantenbein and was shown his second yellow card (66’) – the correct decision this time. Schalke were buoyed by the red card and had a number of opportunities in the final 25 minutes. Kenan Karaman had two chances, putting a shot just wide from range (69’) and then dribbling past former teammate Florian Flick, before hitting one over the crossbar (71’).

Instead of a Schalke equaliser though, Nürnberg extended their lead. Just seconds after coming off the bench, Rafael Lubach buried a rebound from Justin Heekeren’s save to deny Lukas Schleimer (76’). FCN sat back after their third goal and allowed Schalke to come at them a bit more. Karaman had the best chance late on, but he couldn’t get his shot on target in the 89th minute.

DFB-Pokal up next

FC Schalke 04 are away from home again next weekend. Karel Geraerts’ side are in action in the first round of the DFB-Pokal on Saturday (17/8) at fifth-tier side VfR Aalen, the winners of last season’s Württemberg Cup. Kick off at the CENTUS ARENA will be at 15:30 CEST. The two sides actually met in round one back in the 2010/11 season. Two goals from Jefferson Farfan secured a 2-1 victory as the Royal Blues went on to win the tournament at the end of that campaign.