S04 thump Paderborn 5-1 away from home

Mark Uth makes his first appearance of the season – Juan Miranda on the bench for the first time

David Wagner made two changes to the team that defeated Hertha BSC 3-0 two weeks ago. Suat Serdar and Mark Uth came in to the side, with Weston McKennie (stomach bug, made the bench) and Benito Raman (ankle problem) made way. It was Uth’s first appearance in a competitive game since the start of April. Juan Miranda also made the bench for the first time at S04.

Behind early, but Sané scores an important equaliser

The Royal Blues, albeit in all white on Sunday in Paderborn, dominated the early stages, but suddenly found themselves behind after just eight minutes. Sven Michel whipped in a cross which was powerfully headed home by Cauly Oliviera Souza, leaving Alexander Nübel with no chance.

Schalke weren’t fazed by going behind so early and made a number of great chances for themselves. Just 60 seconds after conceding, Guido Burgstaller by the feet of home keeper Jannik Huth. After 28 mintues, it looked certain that the Royal Blues would level proceedings when Daniel Caligiuri’s shot fell to a free Mark Uth in the box, however the attacker couldn’t beat Huth from close range.

The deserved equaliser finally came in the 33rd minute. Bastian Oczipka’s corner was headed back to him and the left back crossed again, this time finding Salif Sané, who nodded home Schalke’s 1000th away goal in the Bundesliga.

Good chances for Burgstaller

The visitors weren’t satisfied with just being level – they wanted to take the lead before the half-time whistle came. The best chances fell to Guido Burgstaller, but the Austrian couldn’t beat Huth (40’) and then defender Uwe Hünemeier (41’).

Paderborn could have then regained the lead on the stroke of half time. Sebastian Vasiliadis played in Michel and the striker should really have buried his shot from inside the area, however he just put it past the post, meaning the first period ended 1-1.

Harit scores after great work from Kenny

The Knappen almost made a dream start to the second half as Suat Serdar’s shot crashed against the post from 20 yards out. However, the German then played a major part in putting the team ahead. The Knappen combined well on the left flank and when Harit’s pass found its way to Serdar on the edge of the box, he calmly slotted home with a little help from a Paderborn deflection.

Seven minutes later, the Paderborn keeper was called into action again as he just about managed to prevent it from becoming 3-1. The keeper was forced to punch the ball away when Daniel Caligiuri’s free kick found Guido Burgstaller at the far post. In the 71st minute however, the Schalker were not to be denied. Jonjoe Kenny flew down the right wing at pace before squaring the ball to Ahmed Kutucu, who had just come on to the pitch. He then layed it to Amine Harit, who turned Mohamed Dräger and planted the ball in the left hand corner from ten yards out.

S04 seal the victory with two goals in quick succession

The Knappen were made to sweat just once in the second half as Salif Sane was forced to block a shot from Klaus Gjasula out for a corner (81’). But instead it was the Schalker who sealed their victory with two quick goals. First it was Amine Harit who gave the ball to Guido Burgstaller 20 yards out and in turn the big Austrian found Ahmed Kutucu with a neat pass. The attacker then rounded Jannik Huth to the right and planted the ball home in to the left hand corner. Just 120 seconds later, another substitute in Weston McKennie again found Guido Burgstaller who provided Ahmed Kutucu with an easy chance to score. Instead he unselfishly squared the ball to Amine Harit who tapped in his second of the game from eleven yards to make it an emphatic 5-1 final score.

Mainz on Friday

This coming Friday (20/09/19) the next Bundesliga fixtures awaits the Schalker. To kick off the fifth matchday of this young season, the Royal Blues welcome 1. FSV Mainz 05 to the VELTINS Arena for a 20:30 CEST kick off.