2-0 defeat away in Sinsheim

Ouwejan and Skarke return

Head coach Thomas Reis made two changes from the Leverkusen game last week. Thomas Ouwejan and Tim Skarke replaced Leo Greiml (muscular problems) and Dominick Drexler (bench) in the starting XI. It was Ouwejan’s first start since October 2022 and Skarke’s first since February.

U19s striker Keke Topp was named on the bench for the second time this season. Moritz Jenz missed out once again after pulling his hamstring a couple of weeks ago.

Král own goal gives TSG the lead

This six-pointer began at a fast pace with chances at both ends in the first two minutes. With less than 60 seconds played, Cedric Brunner whipped a cross into the box. It was flicked on by Rodrigo Zalazar to Marius Bülter at the far post, who stuck his leg out and got some contact on it, only to see the ball hit the bar and go over. Almost immediately afterwards, Ihlas Bebou sprinted down the right flank and put a ball across the box. Angelino got hold of the ball on the left and put a cross towards the centre, where an unmarked Christoph Baumgartner could only head over the bar from just a few yards out (2’).

Following this busy start to the game, the home team gained control and took the lead after 22 minutes. The opening goal came less than two minutes after Schalke were thanking Ralf Fährmann for keeping it level after he got in the way of Finn Ole Becker’s shot. The S04 goalkeeper had no chance here though, as Alex Král unfortunately diverted Angelino’s cross into the back of the net after a nice one-two between the Spaniard and Baumgartner.

Yoshida hits the post

The Royal Blues weren’t far off finding an immediate response to going behind. Maya Yoshida headed Thomas Ouwejan’s cross onto the post (24’).

Despite that Yoshida opportunity, TSG were more dangerous throughout the first half. Baumgartner cleared the bar from just inside the box (26’), then Fährmann did really well to stop Kramaric rounding him (31’). Further chances included Finn Ole Becker‘s effort (34’) and when Tom Krauß blocked a Kramaric attempt (35’). S04 struggled to break down Hoffenheim’s defence from open play and so they trailed 1-0 at the interval.

Bebou scores at the second attempt

Schalke came out for the second half determined to create more opportunities in search of a way back into the game. Marius Bülter curled a shot just wide in the 53rd minute, while Tim Skarke’s powerful strike from a Zalazar corner was blocked by Hoffenheim defender John Anthony Brooks (58’).

At the other end, Fährmann diverted a Bebou cross just over Baumgartner’s head to deny him a chance to make it 2-0 (65’), however TSG would soon double their lead. Baumgartner was fouled in the box by Maya Yoshida and Bebou stepped up to take the penalty. His shot was saved by Fährmann, but he was off his line and so it was retaken, with the Togolese forward making no mistake the second time around (70’).

Bundesliga debut for Topp

Thomas Reis reacted by making a triple change, introducing Simon Terodde, Danny Latza and Keke Topp for his Bundesliga debut. Schalke didn’t give up and did have their moments late on, albeit without any success. The first chance was another Yoshida header which went wide, this time from a Zalazar free-kick (73’).

Angelino (84’) and Tom Bischof (85’) both fired over for the home team, whose goalkeeper, Oliver Baumann, earned himself a clean sheet with a fine save from Danny Latza’s low shot (86’). The experienced goalkeeper was also called upon in injury time. On this occasion, he tipped Bülter’s rocket from a tight angle over the bar (90+2’).

Friday night against Hertha BSC

Schalke’s next game is another clash against a side near them in the table. Hertha BSC visit the VELTINS-Arena on Friday night (14/4, 20:30 CEST).