Late Kaminski header secures 2-1 win over Ulm

Seven changes to the starting XI

Head coach Kees van Wonderen made seven changes to the team that drew 3-3 away against SpVgg Greuther Fürth last weekend. Only Ron Schallenberg, Adrian Gantenbein, Paul Seguin and Kenan Karaman retained their place in the starting XI. Justin Heekeren replaced the injured Loris Karius (calf) in goal and Marcin Kaminski returned from his yellow-card suspension to join Tomas Kalas in the heart of the defence. Anton Donkor, Amin Younes and Aymen Barkok were all included in the midfield, with Moussa Sylla preferred to Pape Meïssa Ba up front. Goalkeeper Faaris Yusufu from the U23s was named on the bench for the first time. Mehmet Can Aydin (ill), Taylan Bulut (lacking match fitness), Janik Bachmann (calf) and Christopher Antwi-Adjei (thigh) all missed out.

Ulm take the lead just before the break

After Oliver Batista Meier tested out Justin Heekeren with the first shot of the afternoon (6’), the Royal Blues were able to create a few chances of their own early on. Moussa Sylla had a series of shots blocked (8’, 12’) before Amin Younes played a nice ball to Anton Donkor out wide. His low cross was narrowly missed by Sylla as he slid in (16’).

The hosts struggled to create further opportunities in the first half as Ulm’s defence stood firm. With a lot of the game being played in the middle of the park, Paul Seguin tried his luck from distance but was unsuccessful (27’). The ‘Sparrows’ sat back and waited for chances to counter. One such moment came in the 25th minute as Lucas Röser received the ball in the S04 box from Bastian Allgeier. His shot was weak though, and no issue for Justin Heekeren (25’).

While Schalke looked to put together a move of note before the break, it was Ulm who managed to break the deadlock. Max Brandt played a long ball towards Oliver Batista Meier from his own half and the midfielder cut inside and found Felix Higl in the penalty area. His low strike nestled in the back of the net to give the away team the lead (40’). The closest the Knappen came to an equaliser before half-time was in the first minute of stoppage time: Amin Younes’ curling attempt was deflected onto the roof of the net by a defender.

Seguin equalises with an hour gone – Kaminski gets the winner after Gantenbein is sent off

Schalke also had more of the ball at the start of the second half, but the away side continued to defend resolutely. That was, however, until the 60th minute. Some nice interplay started by Paul Seguin and involving Amin Younes and Kenan Karaman eventually saw the captain pass it back to Seugin in the box, who then placed it past goalkeeper Niclas Thiede for 1-1 (59’). The majority of the VELTINS-Arena was celebrating again two minutes later, though not for long as the flag quickly went up for offside after Karaman had scored (61’).

A yellow card for Adrian Gantenbein began a hectic final 15 minutes in Gelsenkirchen, with the hosts looking for a winning goal at the death. Kenan Karaman firstly headed wide (82’), then Derry John Murkin’s effort from distance was punched clear by Niclas Thiede (84’). Two minutes after that, Pape Meïssa Ba’s strike at the near post was well saved by Thiede – however Gantenbein was then shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Philipp Strompf in the build-up (86’).

Schalke still had the corner from Thiede’s save and took full advantage of it. Paul Seguin’s delivery was headed home by Marcin Kaminski to secure a 2-1 win (88’). Malik Talabidi came on to make his first-team debut in injury time to help close out the victory.

Away against Regensburg

Schalke’s next game is away against SSV Jahn Regensburg next Sunday (13/4). The hosts are currently bottom of the 2. Bundesliga and the Royal Blues won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier in the season.