S04 relegated after 4-2 defeat in Leipzig

Fährmann back in goal

Ralf Fährmann returned to the side after around six weeks out injured. The 34-year-old replaced Alexander Schwolow in goal, with the loanee taking his place on the bench. Centre-back Moritz Jenz and forward Simon Terodde were both suspended after picking up their fifth yellow cards of the season last time out against Eintracht Frankfurt. Marcin Kaminski and Sebastian Polter came into the team for them.

Marius Bülter returned from his yellow-card suspension. S04’s top goalscorer was preferred to Tim Skarke on the left flank. Rodrigo Zalazar started on the right wing, alongside Dominick Drexler in the centre, who replaced Kenan Karaman. There was another change to the team in central midfield. Captain Danny Latza deputised for the injured Tom Krauß after he picked up a knock in last week’s 2-2 draw.

Kaminski pulls one back after goals from Laimer and Nkunku

Both teams started brightly, with the hosts creating the first chance of the afternoon. Christopher Nkunku played a ball through to Konrad Laimer and he slipped it past Ralf Fährmann. Timo Werner at the back post was inches away from getting on the end of the shot (3’). Seven minutes later, RB took the lead. Goalkeeper Örjan Nyland’s long ball was controlled by Dani Olmo on the right. His cross was parried by Ralf Fährmann in the middle, only into the path of Konrad Laimer, who had an easy finish for 1-0 (10’).

The DFB-Pokal finalists doubled their lead in the 19th minute. Christopher Nkunku played a one-two with Dani Olmo and then dribbled past Sepp van den Berg and Cedric Brunner in the box before firing past Fährmann. Leipzig’s top goalscorer almost got a second goal in the 26th minute, however Marcin Kaminski made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to deny him a shot as he was through on goal.

Two minutes later, Kaminski was involved in a key moment again, but this time at the other end. Rodrigo Zalazar whipped in a corner and the Polish defender headed home from a few yards out (28’). Zalazar himself then had a chance to equalise, forcing Nyland into a good save with his effort from a tight angle (33’).

Schalke’s number 10 was once again dangerous four minutes later. Henning Matriciani’s cross was headed just wide by the Uruguayan (37’). The final notable moment of the first half was for Leipzig. Amadou Haidara drove forward and then hit a low shot destined for the bottom corner from 20 yards out, only to see Fährmann push it wide (39’).

Orban’s own goal temporarily gives S04 some hope

The second half began brilliantly from a Leipzig perspective. Dominick Drexler intercepted Örjan Nyland’s pass in the box and the ball fell to Marius Bülter. His shot beat Nyland but hit the post. Leipzig defender Willi Orban then inadvertently turned the ball into his own net as he looked to clear it (49’).

The home side looked to find a quick response to losing their lead. Ralf Fährmann pushed Marcel Halstenberg’s shot to safety (52’), then rushed off his line to deny Timo Werner two minutes later (54’).

The Knappen continued to search for a third goal, though the chances didn’t really come. Fährmann was called upon once again after 74 minutes, blocking substitute Yussuf Poulsen’s attempt.

The Danish forward would beat Fährmann shortly afterwards though. He slotted it past Schalke’s number 1 after a pass from Nkunku (82’). Another substitute, Dominik Szoboszlai, couldn’t get the better of Fährmann four minutes later, before Marius Bülter hit the side-netting from a narrow angle with two minutes left of regular time.

With Schalke throwing men forward in search of a goal, there was more space for Leipzig. Fährmann saved Nkunku’s fizzing drive (89’), only to see him dink the ball over him in the fourth minute of injury time to seal a 4-2 win for Leipzig.

Respect from the fans

The away fans showed their appreciation for their players after the final whistle. Despite suffering relegation, they respected the performances in recent weeks and months, even if they were ultimately not enough in the end.