S04 lose hard-fought game 3-1 against FC St. Pauli

Langer in goal, Schallenberg returns to the starting XI

The Schalke side that started at the Millerntor had three changes from the side that won 4-3 at home against 1. FC Magdeburg. Michael Langer was in goal once again in place of the injured Marius Müller, with Yusuf Kabadayi replacing Tobias Mohr (on the bench) on the right-wing, and Ron Schallenberg coming in for Assan Ouédraogo (also on the bench), meaning Lino Tempelmann moved forward into a more offensive midfield role.

Pauli penalty and Polter reply

In an intense opening period, neither side gave anything away. The first chance came after 16 minutes, with Lars Ritzka testing Schalke’s goalkeeper Michael Langer with a left-footed shot from inside the box, but Langer was equal to it. Only two minutes later and there was once again excitement in the Royal-Blues’ box, with Lino Tempelmann blocking the rebound from a corner with his hand, and referee Frank Willenborg deciding to give a penalty after going over and looking at the pitch side monitor. Marcel Hartel took the penalty, sending Langer the wrong way and sending St. Pauli into the lead (21’).

St. Pauli wanted to use this momentum to extend their lead, while for Schalke the focus was on working to regain control of the game having gone behind. Yusuf Kabadayi flashed a warning shot just over the St. Pauli goal from a tight angle on the right-hand side (25’). Three minutes later, Thomas Ouwejan curled a cross low across goal, where Sebastian Polter was waiting to tap the ball past the ‘keeper and into the far corner to give Schalke an equaliser (29’). The Schalke striker continued his good form having scored a brace against Magdeburg last week.

Both teams continued to wrestle for control of the game, with Schalke pressing high and occasionally forcing St. Pauli into mistakes on the ball, while the hosts also put pressure on the Schalke goal but without any clear-cut chances to show for it. As a result, both teams went into the break level at one apiece.

Behind out of nothing

The ‘Knappen’ began the second half with a bit more energy and in the opening minutes Sebastian Polter was yet again heavily involved, firing a shot into the side netting just 30 seconds after the restart and heading just over the St. Pauli got from a corner (54’). The hosts were more clinical, with Marcel Hartel’s shot from the edge of box finding it’s way in via the inside of the post, putting St. Pauli into the lead once again (57’).

Behind once again, Schalke found themselves needing a response. Derry John Murkin did well to get round Pauli ‘keeper Nikola Vasilj before laying the ball off to Yusuf Kabadayi, but the 19-year-old smashed his effort over the goal (61’). Sebastian Polter was played through one-on-one moments later, but his shot lacked conviction and it was saved (64’). At the other end, Michael Langer prevented Marcel Hartel from completing his hattrick with an acrobatic save (67’).

Thomas Reis reacted by bringing on two attackers in the shape of Assan Ouédraogo (for Paul Seguin) and Soichiro Kozuki (for Yusuf Kabadayi), in order to bolster the Royal-Blues’ attack. Moments later, Ron Schallenberg was brought off for young striker Keke Topp in another attacking change. Tomas Kalas also came on to replace Timo Baumgartl at centre-back. However, all these attacking changes did not result in any clear-cut chances on the St. Pauli goal, and in the second minute of additional time, Tomas Kalas turned into his own net to give St. Pauli a third and to put the result beyond any doubt.

The ‘Knappen’ on the road once again

FC Schalke 04 have another away game this coming matchday. The Royal-Blues are away at the Home Deluxe Arena on Friday (29/9, 18:30 CEST kick-off) and will take on SC Paderborn 07.