S04 and Elversberg share the points at the VELTINS-Arena

Džeko and Dina Ebimbe named in the starting XI

Head coach Miron Muslic made two changes to the side that won 3-1 away against 1. FC Union Berlin last time out. Edin Džeko replaced Junior Adamu up front, with the Austrian dropping to the bench and the Bosnian making his first start of the season. The other alteration saw Junior Dina Ebimbe come in for Dejan Ljubičić on the right after the Austrian suffered a knee injury in Berlin and is now unavailable.

Elversberg captain almost scores an own goal

Schalke made a lively start to the game. Kenan Karaman and his teammates worked their way into the Elversberg box several times in the opening minutes, causing the visitors particular problems down the left. However, the Royal Blues had to wait for their first real sight of goal.

Elversberg began to find their way into the game after around ten minutes and soon registered their first shot through Noah Darvich. After being picked out by Cole Campbell, the Germany youth international pulled the trigger from around 14 yards, but his effort flew over Loris Karius’ goal (12’). Nicolas Kristof was called into action for the first time after 21 minutes. Kenan Karaman whipped a dangerous ball in from the right and Lukas Pinckert, under pressure from Edin Džeko inside the six-yard box, diverted it towards his own goal. The Elversberg goalkeeper reacted superbly to prevent his captain from scoring an own goal.

Schalke threatened again in the 27th minute. Adil Aouchiche produced a clever backheel on the edge of the box before Satoshi Tanaka let the ball run through to Kenan Karaman, who let fly with his left foot. Felix Keidel managed to throw himself in the way and block the shot.

The game then lost some of its early intensity, with neither side able to work their way into dangerous positions in the final third for some time. Schalke did threaten again shortly before the break, though. Adil Aouchiche and Junior Dina Ebimbe combined before the ball reached Kenan Karaman, who found Edin Džeko. The striker’s effort from the left side of the box was blocked by Lukas Pinckert, meaning the sides went in goalless.

Chances at both ends in an intense second half

The visitors had the first opportunity after the restart. David Mokwa struck the left-hand post with a powerful effort in the 48th minute, although it wouldn’t have counted as the Elversberg forward was offside. Schalke’s first chance of the second half fell to Nikola Katic. The centre-back stayed forward for an Adil Aouchiche free-kick and got on the end of the delivery at the back post, but could only send his effort narrowly over.

Elversberg threatened from a free-kick of their own shortly afterwards. Felix Keidel’s delivery found its way towards the back post, where Loris Karius made two sharp stops to deny Lukas Petkov, although the Bulgarian had strayed offside (57’). Three minutes later, Miron Muslic made the first two substitutions of the game. Maximilian Wöber replaced Timo Becker in the back three, while Moussa Sylla came on for Edin Džeko in attack.

The two substitutes almost had something to celebrate less than two minutes after coming on. A long throw dropped to Junior Dina Ebimbe on the edge of the box and he connected well on the volley, but Nicolas Kristof was equal to it. Elversberg then looked to break at the other end, only for Hasan Kuruçay to halt substitute Maurice Krattenmacher with an excellent sliding tackle, drawing appreciative applause from the VELTINS-Arena crowd.

Miron Muslic made another double change in the 70th minute, with Vitalie Becker and Hee Chan Hwang replacing Robin Gosens and Adil Aouchiche. Both were immediately involved in Schalke’s next notable attack. Hwang played Becker in down the left and his cross turned into a shot that Nicolas Kristof could only parry. Hwang followed up, but his effort struck Felix Keidel’s arm, which was tucked in by his side (74’). Nikola Katic went close again in the 80th minute, meeting a Kuruçay free kick with a header that landed on the roof of the net.

Elversberg also had another sight of goal during a hard-fought closing spell, with Lukas Petkov firing over after Cole Campbell’s lay-off. Schalke had the final chance in stoppage time. Junior Dina Ebimbe shifted the ball onto his left foot inside the box and got away from Nicholas Mickelson, but dragged his effort well wide.

Two friendlies during the international break

Due to the international break, S04’s next Bundesliga game is in three weeks. The opponents will be SC Freiburg on Sunday (11/10, 17:30 CEST) at the Europa-Park-Stadion.

The Royal Blues will play two friendlies during the international break, firstly taking on fourth-division side Rot-Weiß Oberhausen next Thursday (24/9, 19:00 CEST). That is followed by a fixture against Austrian top-flight club Austria Lustenau on Saturday (3/10, 15:00 CEST). Both are away games.