S04 put five past Hertha to pick up crucial win at home

Five changes to starting XI – Jenz and Kaminski at centre-back

Head coach Thomas Reis made five changes to the starting line-up following last weekend’s 2-0 loss in Sinsheim. Moritz Jenz made his comeback from injury, as Marcin Kaminski, Danny Latza, Dominick Drexler and Simon Terodde also came into the side. This was Kaminski’s first start since matchday 1 this season. Maya Yoshida (muscle strain) wasn’t part of the squad, while Thomas Ouwejan, Tom Krauß, Rodrigo Zalazar and Michael Frey all dropped to the bench.

Skarke and Bülter open the scoring early

The Royal Blues didn’t need long to open the scoring, as Tim Skarke beat several Hertha defenders to find space for himself to get off a shot. He struck the ball perfectly from 17 metres out, as it crashed off the bar and into the back of the net, leaving Oliver Christensen with no chance (3’).

Hertha came close to equalising just minutes later, as Stevan Jovetic headed the ball against the left post following a corner (7’). Jenz was then able to block a second attempt from the attacker inside the box (9’).

Instead, it was the hosts who would double their advantage. Dominick Drexler found Skarke down the right wing, who picked out Bülter in front of goal with a perfect cross. The stiker simply stuck his head out and headed home from close range to put Schalke 2-0 up in the 13th minute.

Fährmann forced off with an injury – Jovetic scores for Hertha

Both sides continued to look for any and all opportunities to attack. Ralf Fährmann did well to get down and get a hand on a low shot from Jovetic, redirecting it onto the post (22’). Down the other end, Terodde laid the ball off to Bülter, but his shot from range was parried by Christensen (23’).

Hertha then denied Schalke twice, with Marton Dardai blocking Latza from getting off a shot inside the box (27‘) before Drexler sent a header wide of goal (32‘). The Royal Blues were then forced into an early change after Fährmann picked up a muscle injury, with Alexander Schwolow coming off the bench against his former club (36’).

The visitors were able to get one back shortly before half-time, as Jovetic was able to beat Schwolow with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area. Schalke headed into the break still on top, with a narrow 2-1 lead.

Another quick goal for S04

The second half started with another quick goal for the Royal Blues. A quick counter-attack began with Jenz winning the ball off Jovetic, before playing it out to substitute Kenan Karaman, who had come on for the injured Skarke at half time (wounded foot following a challenge). Karaman beat Dardai down the right wing before squaring it to Terodde, who tapped in from close range (48’).

Bülter scores for Schalke, Richter scores for Hertha –Kaminski nets superb free kick late on

With their two-goal advantage restored, Schalke continued to dominate the pace of the game. Hertha’s sole chance in the opening quarter of an hour came from a Jovetic cross that found Lucas Tousart, but Schwolow was ready for it (59’). The hosts continued to wait for their chances to counter, catching Hertha on the break once again in the 78th minute. Henning Matriciani intercepted a pass from Suat Serdar and played it to Terodde, who laid it off for Latza. He then played a through ball to Bülter, who dinked it over the on-rushing Christensen to put Schalke 4-1 up.

Marco Richter was able to get another goal back for Hertha in the 84th minute, but it would prove too late for the visitors to mount a comeback. After Richter cleared a shot from Karaman from off the line (88’), Marcin Kaminski would  put the game to bed with a fine free-kick from just outside the box. He curled it over the wall and into the left corner, with Christensen helpless to prevent it from going in (90’+2). A few minutes later, the full-time whistle went, signaling the end of a thrilling game at the VELTINS-Arena that saw Schalke secure a crucial three points.

Next up: Freiburg away

S04 travel to face SC Freiburg next weekend, with kick-off set for 15:30 CEST on Sunday, 23rd April.