S04 beat Frankfurt 4-3 at home

Kolasinac banned – two changes

Mark Uth returned from his yellow card suspension to start against SGE. Sead Kolasinac, on the other hand, was banned after picking up his fifth caution of the season in the week against Hertha. The other change from that 2-1 defeat saw Mehmet Can Aydin replace Matthew Hoppe.

Huntelaar misses a penalty, scores the rebound

The first chance of the afternoon belonged to the Knappen. Blendi Idrizi nicely played it to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who hit the side-netting (6’). Three minutes later, Eintracht came close for the first time. Timothy Chandler’s shot was blocked by Ralf Fährmann with his foot. Moments later, Salif Sané inadvertently headed a Kostic free-kick towards his own goal, which Fährmann fished out of the far corner.

With 13 minutes played, referee Sven Jablonski pointed the spot. Amine Harit had been brought down by Tuta in the area, although it took two minutes for VAR to check whether or not there had been an offside in the build-up. The original decision stood and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar stepped up to take the spot-kick, only to see his shot saved by Kevin Trapp. The Dutch striker was on hand to score the rebound, though.

Eintracht needed a few minutes to bounce back from the setback, but quickly went on the attack again. André Silva nearly got on the end of a Kostic cross, as Ralf Fährmann was able to intercept it in the nick of time (20′). Five minutes later, it was Kevin Trapp who would be called upon to make a save, denying Klass-Jan Huntelaar.

The visitors would then draw level at the half hour mark. Younes‘ cross from the left flank found Silva at the far post, as he headed in the equaliser (29′). Seven minutes later, Evan Ndicka came close to putting Frankfurt in the lead. The defender got on the end of Kostic’s free kick, but wasn’t able to head it past Fährmann. The last chance of the opening half also belonged to the Eagles, as Silva hit the side-netting from 16 metres out (41′).

First goals for Idrizi and Flick

Timothy Chandler had the first opportunity of the second half, heading wide from a Kostic cross. Shortly afterwards, the ball was in the back of Schalke’s net. Evan Ndicka met a Kamada corner with his head and a slight deflection by Salif Sané saw it fly in (51’).

Less than two minutes later, Schalke found an immediate response. A skilful ball through by Huntelaar found Blendi Idrizi and the U23s player stayed cool to slot it past Trapp. It was his first Bundesliga goal in just his second outing. Florian Flick, another member of the club’s U23s side in the fourth division, then celebrated his maiden Bundesliga goal moments later. He was played in by Matthew Hoppe and beat Trapp to give Schalke the lead (60’).

Taking the lead gave S04 a real boost and they quickly added a fourth goal. Matthew Hoppe received the ball in his own half, dribbled into Frankfurt’s box and found the far corner for his sixth goal of the season. The action in the VELTINS-Arena wasn’t done yet though. Eintracht found a way back into the game in the 72nd minute. André Silva grabbed his second of the day after Fährmann had initially saved Jovic’s effort from close range.

The visitors pushed hard for another equaliser in the closing stages. Silva headed straight at Fährmann (78’) and Steven Zuber couldn’t connect properly moments later. Schalke defended with heart and fight and even had another chance to score. Timo Becker’s shot two minutes from time was deflected wide by Makoto Hasebe. There were no further moments of note and the Royal Blues held on for a 4-3 win.

Last game of the season at Köln

The Royal Blues will finish 2020/21 off with an away game at 1. FC Köln on Saturday (22/5, 15:30 CEST). The Billy Goats are one point off the relegation play-off spot and two adrift of safety going into the final matchday.