Schalke lose 2-1 to Mönchengladbach

The Royal Blues are still waiting for their first points of the new Bundesliga sesaon. S04 lost 2-1 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 3. Matthias Ginter and Patrick Herrmann scored the goals for the foals, with Breel Embolo scoring a consolation in the 93rd minute.

Mendyl on debut, Nastasic returns

Head coach Domenico Tedesco made four changes to his team after the 2-0 home defeat to Hertha BSC. Hamza Mendyl was handed his debut at left-back, Matija Nastasic returned at centre-half after his suspension, with Abdul Rahman Baba and Weston McKennie missing out. Forwards Franco di Santo and Guido Burgstaller also came into the starting XI in place of Breel Embolo and Yehven Konoplyanka, with the later suspended.

Ginter scores an early goal

It was a dreadful start for Tedesco’s men, going behind after just three minutes. Matthias Ginter rose highest to Jonas Hofmann’s corner to give the foals the lead. Schalke failed to find the answer, with the hosts playing confident attacking football in the first half. Hofmann’s volley after 11 minutes also came close for Gladbach.

Tedesco made his first change after just 25 minutes. Debutant Mendyl was replaced by Alessandro Schöpf, after giving away two fouls on a yellow card in a short space of time. S04 came close to the equaliser after 33 minutes, with Salif Sané’s powerful header clawed out by home keeper Yann Sommer.

Mönchengladbach had a good hold on the game and Alassane Plea could have made it 2-0 just before half time. The same could be said for Mark Uth. He picked up on a loose pass and was free from the home defence on the edge of the box, but unfortunately couldn’t get his effort on target. Sommer also denied Uth’s shot on the stroke of the half-time whistle.

Gutsy start to the second half

S04 put lots of pressure on the hosts at the start of the second half, which almost paid off in the 50th minute. Mark Uth had the ball in the net from a Daniel Caliguiri cross, but the flag was up for offside. Schalke continued their offensive siege, but couldn’t make any further chances for a while. Zakaria and Herrmann had two good efforts for Gladbach, before Hofmann hit the post in the 73rd minute.

Hermann doubles the lead, Embolo can only half it

Four minutes later, Ralf Fährmann had to pick the ball out the back of his net for a second time. A cross from Oscar Wendt reached Herrmann who coolly put the ball into the net from a few yards out. Just minutes later, Breel Embolo scored a stunner of a goal for the Royal Blues, however, this did nothing to change the overall result.

First up Porto, then comes Bayern

Schalke’s next game comes on Tuesday (18/09/18) with the start of the Champions League campaign at home to FC Porto (Kick off: 21.00 CEST). Tickets are still available for the game against the Portuguese champions. Then on Saturday (22/09/18), the Bundesliga continues when FC Bayern travel to the VELTINS Arena (Kick off: 18.30 CEST).