Frankfurt win the game in the ninth minute of added time

Caligiuri fit again

After four weeks on the sidelines, Daniel Caligiuri returned to the team. The German-Italian full-back replaced Sebastian Rudy in the side. There was one further change to the side that lost 2-0 to Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal: Jeffrey Bruma deputised for the injured Salif Sané.

Serdar on the scoresheet again

Frankfurt began the game on top and put the Knappen under a lot of pressure early on. Luka Jovic could have given them the lead after just three minutes; however Alexander Nübel brilliantly denied him from close range. Jovic then missed the far post with a backheel, again from a Danny da Costa pass. Frankfurt’s third chance then lead to them taking the lead (13’). Martin Hinteregger headed it to Filip Kostic, who slipped in Ante Rebic. The Serb stayed cool, rounded Nübel and converted into the empty net. Hinteregger almost doubled their lead less than a minute later. He attempted to lob Nübel from the halfway line and forced Nübel into a last-ditch save.

Schalke struggled in the opening exchanges, but then suddenly equalised with their first opportunity of the day in the 21st minute. A Daniel Caligiuri free-kick was headed towards goal by Breel Embolo. SGE keeper Kevin Trapp parried the effort – but only to Suat Serdar, who was on hand to score his second goal in as many Bundesliga games. The Royal Blues grew in confidence after scoring and manage to thwart Frankfurt’s next attacks. Chances for 1-1 didn’t come, baring a Guido Burgstaller headed in the 42nd minute that was easily held by Trapp.

Hard challenges, but little chances

Not much happened during the first few minutes of the second half, but it didn’t take long for Nübel to have to make a pair of crucial saves. First, the U21 keeper kept Goncalo Paciencia’s header from going in the top corner in the 52nd minute, before reacting quickly again on the ensuing corner from Jetro Willems. Schalke’s first challenge on Trapp came in the 67th minute after Burgstaller fed the ball to Serdar, whose shot from inside the box landed in the Frankfurt keeper’s hands.

The second half was defined by several hard challenges from both sides. Despite trying their hardest to generate chances, neither side were able to be effective in front of the net. During the third minute of extra time, the game took a hectic turn. Serdar was shown his second yellow of the day after a foul on Filip Kostic, leaving Schalke a man down. Things got worse for Schalke from then on: a shot from Kostic hit Caliguri’s outstretched arm as he stood in the path of the ball. After taking several minutes to consult VAR, referee Stegemann pointed to the spot. Luka Jovic kept his composure and converted from the spot in the ninth minute of extra time, leading to heartbreak for the Schalke fans.

Away amongst friends

Schalke’s next match will be a special one, as the team prepares to face 1. FC Nürnberg on Friday (12/4) at 20:30 CEST.