S04 defeat Nürnberg 3-1 thanks to goals from Karaman and Sylla

Donkor and Mohr come into the starting XI

Head coach Kees van Wonderen was forced into two changes from the goalless draw at Braunschweig. Derry John Murkin (ankle injury) and Christopher Antwi-Adjei (thigh problem) were unavailable and therefore replaced by Anton Donkor and Tobias Mohr in the starting XI. Recent signing Loris Karius made the squad for the first time, while academy product Vitalie Becker was named on the bench for the first time in the second division.

Three early goals

Schalke had more possession early on and looked to attack their opponents at every opportunity. In the fifth minute, Tayal Bulut dribbled inside from the right wing and tried to play in Moussa Sylla, however he couldn’t get the ball under control. The home fans at a sold-out VELTINS-Arena were able to celebrate the opening goal just two minutes after that though. Tobias Mohr whipped in a free-kick from the left and Kenan Karaman got a touch on it to beat FCN goalkeeper Jan Reichert (7’).

Nürnberg’s Stefanos Tzimas picked up the ball in his own half and drove all the way towards the Schalke box, eventually forcing Justin Heekeren to make a relatively comfortable save (9’). The hosts were the better side in opening stages and soon got their second goal. After Kenan Karaman almost got his head on Taylan Bulut’s wayward shot at the back post, Moussa Sylla found the back of the net two minutes later. Tobias Mohr gave it to Anton Donkor out wide, he got the better of defender Oliver Villadsen and then slipped in Schalke’s number nine. His clinical finish left Reichert with no chance and it was 2-0 to the Royal Blues after just a quarter of an hour played.

However, Schalke’s two-goal lead didn’t last very long. After his initial shot was blocked by Ron Schallenberg, Jens Castrop produced a sensational assist for the visitors. Whilst still on the floor, the midfielder flicked the ball over his head to striker Stefanos Tzimas, who then had the simple job of heading in from a few yards out (17’). Paul Seguin came close to restoring the two-goal advantage, but his thunderous strike from just outside the area only hit the post (22’).

Sylla heads in his second

The game calmed down after the frantic start and it took until the 34th minute for the next chance: Kenan Karaman tested Jan Reichert with a shot from around 20 yards out. 120 seconds later, Tobias Mohr came close to picking out the bottom corner following Paul Seguin’s pass. 1. FC Nürnberg had a great chance to equalise after 42 minutes. After Justin Heekeren did well to push Jens Castrop’s shot wide, Finn Jeltsch’s header from six yards out from the resulting corner narrowly went over.

Instead of a leveller for FCN, S04 increased their lead right on the stroke of half time. Marcin Kaminski got involved in an attack as he dribbled into the box and played it wide to Tobias Mohr.  His cross was then headed home from close range by Moussa Sylla.

Nürnberg the more dangerous side initially after the break

The away team were the more threatening side at the start of the second half, with Jens Castrop (54’) and Danilo Soares (60’) both shooting over and then Justin Heekeren parrying Berkay Yilmaz’s shot wide for a corner (64’).

There were loud appeals within the VELTINS-Arena at the other end when Ondrej Karafiat blocked Kenan Karaman’s shot with his arm. Referee Dr. Max Burda didn’t point to the spot as there was no active movement from Karafiat’s arm to the ball (66’).

Schallenberg almost scores in bizarre fashion

The Royal Blues were able to survive Nürnberg’s sustained period of pressure and then created opportunities of their own. Substitute Ilyes Hamache was bright after coming on, and almost assisted Moussa Sylla with his cross (75’). Five minutes after that, goalkeeper Reichert’s clearance rebounded off Ron Schallenberg’s head from a few yards away and went just over the crossbar. In between these chances, Berkay Yilmaz missed a decent opportunity for FCN (77’).

Justin Heekeren denied Jannik Hofmann in the fourth minute of injury time to ensure Schalke would be keeping all three points in Gelsenkirchen.

Magdeburg in town next week

S04’s next game is also at home at the VELTINS-Arena. The visitors next Saturday (1/2) are 1. FC Magdeburg for a 20:30 kick-off.