S04 beaten 3-0 at home by Hoffenheim

Three changes, first start for Mollet

Head coach Frank Kramer made three changes to the team that lost to Leverkusen last week. Thomas Ouwejan replaced Tobias Mohr at left-back, while Alex Král and Florent Mollet came in for Florian Flick and Sebastian Polter. It was Mollet’s first start for the Royal Blues.

Skov scores from the spot for TSG

Schalke had the first shot on Friday night, though Florent Mollet’s free-kick from distance went well over (5’). Two minutes later, it was hectic in Schalke’s box. Alexander Schwolow made an excellent reaction save, however Leo Greiml had caught Christoph Baumgartner with a late tackle on his shin a few seconds before and VAR advised referee Florian Badstübner to point to the spot after he originally missed the incident. Robert Skov stepped up and buried the penalty in the top corner (11’).

Schalke reacted well to going behind and were able to create several chances in search of an equaliser. Tom Krauß struck one over (13’) and then wide (21’) from the edge of the box.

With Schalke pushing forward looking for a goal, there was plenty of space on the break for the away side. One example of this came in the 23rd minute when TSG should really have doubled their lead. Munas Dabbur’s backheel set Christoph Baumgartner free, who then dribbled forward with the ball and then squared it to the unmarked Georginio Rutter, but he couldn’t keep his shot down from a great position.

Mollet hits the post, Dabbur finds the far corner

Following Hoffenheim’s squandered opportunity, Schalke had more of the play and came close to levelling the game. Simon Terodde struck over the bar (25’), before Florent Mollet hit the post with a low drive from outside the box (30’). The rebound then fell to Thomas Ouwejan, whose effort from a tight angle was kicked away by Oliver Baumann in the TSG goal. The Dutchman then fired just over the crossbar four minutes later.

Despite these promising moments for the Royal Blues, Hoffenheim were the next team to score, though not before a few more chances for them. Firstly, Grischa Prömel curled a shot just over the bar (36’), then Schwolow let Baumgartner’s strike slip and just managed to keep it from trickling over the line with his fingertips (41’). With the half about to end, TSG produced a perfect counter-attack. Terodde’s header from a corner was held by Baumann and he immediately launched a ball up the pitch to Rutter. He held it up and then played it to Dabbur, who expertly curled the ball into the far corner for 2-0 (45’).

Another Skov penalty

Schalke again hit the woodwork ten minutes into the second half. Marius Bülter flicked on an Ouwejan corner with the back of his head and that hit the outside of the post (56’). The game was effectively over three minutes later, however. Referee Florian Badstübner pointed to the spot for a second time in the game, this time after a handball by Ouwejan in the box. Skov stepped up again and found the same corner to make it 3-0 (59’).

Florent Mollet came close again in the 62nd minute, hitting the side-netting. At the other end, Angelino powerfully volleyed a cross from Rutter towards goal, which Schwolow parried away (68’).

S04 failed to really create any dangerous moments in the final 20 minutes, and the away side could have increased their lead on several occasions. Angelino shot straight at Schwolow (78’), Rutter had his attempt well saved by the goalkeeper (83’) and Sebastian Rudy headed inches wide (83’). TSG couldn’t find the back of the net again though, and it therefore finished 3-0 to the visitors.

Another meeting on Tuesday

S04 will face Hoffenheim once again on Tuesday, this time in the second round of the DFB-Pokal. The game will kick off in Sinsheim at 20:45 CEST (18/10).