S04 beaten 2-0 away at SSV Jahn Regensburg

Bulut and Aydin back in the starting XI

Taylan Bulut returned to the starting XI after missing the last three games due to illness and a leg injury. The Germany U19 international replaced Adrian Gantenbein after the right-back was sent off late on in last Sunday’s 2-1 win over Ulm. The only other change saw Mehmet Can Aydin start in place of Tomas Kalas. The 23-year-old was ill for last weekend’s victory against the Sparrows.

Ilyes Hamache was also back in the squad. The attacker had been out since the victory over Karlsruhe on 16th February with an Achilles tendon problem. Tidiane Touré was named in a first-team squad for the first time. The 20-year-old right-back came on to make his professional debut in the 67th minute.

Regensburg deservedly ahead at the break

The hosts had the first chance of the afternoon from Sargis Adamyan’s free-kick. Florian Ballas directed his header on target, though Justin Heekeren easily got down low to hold on (2’). Regensburg’s defence positioned themselves high up the pitch and the home team looked to press Schalke quickly. Both teams generally struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half on a badly torn up pitch.

A set piece provided the opening goal of the day. Justin Heekeren punched a corner out of the six-yard box but only to Christian Kühlwetter, whose strike through bodies nestled in the back of the net at the near post (21’).

Two minutes later, Jahn came close to doubling their lead. Schalke’s goalkeeper cleared the ball under pressure and it fell for Tim Handwerker outside the box. His first-time shot from around 30 yards out rolled just past the far post. Justin Heekeren was called upon again in the 36th minute, this time pushing Sargis Adamyan’s strike wide for a corner.

Schalke were only able to put together any notable attacks towards the end of the first half, and even then, goalkeeper Julian Pollersbeck had an extremely quiet first 45 minutes. In the final minute of the half, Mehmet Can Aydin hit a shot from outside the area straight down the goalkeeper’s throat.

Hosts add a second late on

Schalke again had lots of the ball at the start of the second half, however they continued to struggle in the final third and failed to find gaps in the Regensburg defence. Kenan Karaman did at least get a header away from a Paul Seguin corner, but his attempt was too powerful and flew well over the bar (54’).

A corner provided the next chance with 70 minutes played: Robin Ziegele’s clearance fell for substitute Tobias Mohr. He shot right away and saw his strike blocked by Christian Kühlwetter a few yards from goal with Anton Donkor lurking. Schalke were the better team between these two set-pieces, albeit without threatening Julian Pollersbeck’s goal.

Debutant Tidiane Touré had an opening in the closing stages, volleying the ball into the ground and wide from the edge of the box (84’). Schalke’s final opportunity to equalise came in the final minute of normal time: Derry John Murkin whipped in a cross for fellow sub Pape Meïssa Ba and he couldn’t sort his body out in time to divert the ball on target.

The hosts added a second goal in injury time to seal all three points. With most of the Royal Blues pushed up the pitch, Sebastian Ernst was able to play Dejan Galjen in behind and he put the ball through Justin Heekeren’s legs to make it 2-0. Sunday afternoon’s result means that Regensburg have now claimed 11 points from their last five home games as they make a late bid to stay in the 2. Bundesliga.

HSV up next

Schalke’s run of three consecutive games on a Sunday afternoon comes to an end next weekend with the visit of Hamburger SV. The clash with the league leaders will be at 20:30 CEST on a Saturday night (19/4).