S04 lose 3-0 in Frankfurt

Fährmann back in goal

Ralf Fährmann celebrated his return to the starting XI in the Commerzbank-Arena after several weeks out injured. The captain had been missing due to an adductor problem and came back into the team for Alexander Nübel, who returned to the bench in Frankfurt. There were two further changes with Suat Serdar and Nabil Bentaleb replacing Amine Harit and Sebastian Rudy.

Uth has Schalke’s best chance

The fans in Frankfurt didn’t see many notable chances in the first half, although the game still had its highlights. Schalke’s defence were very solid in the first 45 minutes, keeping Eintracht’s offensive trio of Sebastien Haller, Luka Jovic and Ante Rebic at bay.

Frankfurt had more possession but didn’t carve out any big chances. Their best came from a set-piece situation, as Evan Obite Ndicka saw his effort go just past the post. Schalke’s biggest chance came on the counter attack, led by a Daniel Caligiuri run, but Mark Uth’s shot in the 34th minute didn’t trouble Kevin Trapp in the home goal.

Frankfurt score three times after the break

Both teams continued to fight for every inch of ground in the second half, but Mark Uth unfortunately suffered an injury early on. The Germany international injured the back of his upper thigh and was taken off in the 55th minute. Breel Embolo was also down hurt a minute later after being elbowed by Ndicka, suffering a bleeding face. Luckily he was able to continue and very nearly put the Royal Blues ahead but couldn’t quite defeat Kevin Trapp in a one-on-one situation in the 60th minute.

Less than a minute after Embolo’s chance, Luka Jovic gave Eintracht the lead. The Serbian received a pass from Ante Rebic, got past Benjamin Stambouli and fired home for 1-0. Ante Rebic could have made it 2-0 five minutes later, but his shot hit the inside of the post and came back out.

Fährmann was beaten for a second time on 73 minutes, with Jovic getting his second after a spectacular finish from a Filip Kostic cross. Yehven Konoplyanka then struck the crossbar for Schalke with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but it was Frankfurt who got the final goal of the evening. Ralf Fährmann made a smart save from Jovic, but Sebastien Haller tapped home the rebound, meaning it finished 3-0.

Friendly in St. Petersburg

A dozen of Schalke players will be taking part in international fixtures over the coming days. Domenico Tedesco will take the remainder of the squad to Russia to face Zenit St. Petersburg in a friendly (18/11, 13:00 CET) after an invitation from club sponsor GAZPROM.