S04 suffer 3-2 defeat against Augsburg

Two changes made to the starting XI

Head coach Frank Kramer made to changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Thomas Ouwejan for Tobias Mohr on the left-hand side of the back four, and Sebsatian Bolter came in for Jordan Larsson, as Schalke 04 set up in a 4-4-2 formation.

Terodde scores after Demirovic brace

It was a cagey start at the VELTINS-Arena, with the first real opportunity not coming until the ninth minute, when the hosts were caught out on the break by the visitors. André Hahn crossed it in from the right and picked out Ermedin Demirovic, who curled the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 to Augsburg. 

S04 worked hard as they tried to get back into the game. Tom Krauß had two long-range efforts on goal (14’, 18’), and Dominick Drexler had a chance on the right of the penalty box after he got on the end of Alexander Schwolow’s long ball, but none of these efforts found the net. 

The away side were having more success in S04’s penalty box at a time when Schalke were largely dominating proceedings. Ermedin Demirovic scored Augsburg’s second in the 21st minute. After being played through by Mergim Berisha on the left flank, the Bosnia international hit a left-footed shot from 12 yards out to double their advantage. 

It took a little while longer for Schalke to get a foothold back in the game after conceding this time, but they were able to find a goal this time through Simon Terodde. Last year’s Bundesliga 2 top scorer linked up nicely with Dominick Drexler before finding the back of the net from ten yards out. This came after a good cross from Ouwejan from the left-hand side. Schalke continued to push forward in what was an intense first half, but there were to be no more goals before the break.

Ten-man Augsburg retake the lead

Ten-man Augsburg retake the lead 

Frank Kramer subbed on Rodrigo Zalazar for Marius Bülter at the start of the second half to get some fresh legs on the pitch. The S04 head coach was then forced into another change shortly after the second half began. Sepp van den Berg went over on his ankle making a tackle and was unable to continue. Leo Greiml came on in his place. 

S04 had the first real chance of the second half – Tom Krauß tested Rafal Gikiewicz with a fierce shot from the edge outside the box, but the FCA keeper was able to get a hand to it (55’). At the other end, Mergim Berisha posed a threat to the home side just two minutes later. Demirovic was, however, unable to turn his cross home, with the effort going off target. The duo were once again involved on the hour mark. Demirovic dribbled past several players before laying it off to Berisha, who let fly from outside the box. Fortunately, Alexander Schwolow was equal to the effort and parried it away for a corner. 

The fourth goal of the game came in the 62nd minute, and it was Schalke’s equaliser! Dominick Drexler found himself in lots of space on the left of the pitch as Schalke countered. He made a tidy pass to Tom Krauß, who flicked it with the back of his heel before sending a powerful shot into the far right corner and levelling the scores with what was the Germany U21 international’s first Bundesliga goal! 

Simon Terodde then found the back of the Augsburg net just six minutes later, but the striker was unfortunately offside in the build-up and so the goals was chalked off. It was the correct decision from referee Daniel Schlager, who was asked to make another important call shortly afterwards, because Mergim Berisha had elbowed Maya Yoshida in the face. The referee gave the attacker a second yellow as well as his marching orders (70’). 

Despite being a man down, Augsburg managed to score again in the 77th minute. André Hahn’s close-range header from a Gumny cross meant the away side regained the lead. Kenan Kamaran had a headed opportunity at the other end. Tobias Mohr whipped in the corner and it was flicked on by Mehmet Can Aydin, but Karaman’s effort sailed over the bar (84’). All three players involved in this chance had been subbed on shortly before. The Royal Blues continued looking for an equaliser after this missed chance, but they couldn’t find their reward, even during the seven minutes of added time.

A short trip next week

FC Schalke 04’s next league match sees them make a relatively quick journey as they face Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, 8th October (15:30 CEST). Schalke’s next match at the VELTINS-Arena is on Friday 14th October against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (20:30 CEST).