S04 win 2-1 against Mainz thanks to Amine Harit’s wonder goal

One change to the starting XI

The Royal Blues were almost unchanged from the side that lined up for the emphatic 5-1 win against SC Paderborn 07, making just one change. Weston Mckennie took Mark Uth’s place in the team, who was substituted on around the hour mark.

Serdar scores against his former club

The Miners started the game well, instantly putting Mainz under pressure. While Schalke attempted to penetrate the Zerofivers’ compact backline, the guests tried to make effective use of the wide areas.  Whenever FSV tried to play it out from the back, Wagner’s side immediately put them under pressure, forcing them to hit it long. However, clear-cut chances were few and far between, with the first big opportunity coming the way of the visitors. Kunde Malong tried his luck from outside of the box after a corner ended up being cleared to his feet (20’), missing the goal by inches.

The Royal Blues managed to convert their first real opportunity. Amine Harit assisted ex-Mainz player Serdar after cutting in from the left-hand side. The U21 European Championship finalist managed to shrug off the pressure from St. Juste to give the hosts the lead (36’). Guido Burgstaller almost managed to double their lead a few moments later, however he couldn’t quite find the target with his clever bicycle kick.

Harit seals the victory with the outside of his foot

Schalke kept up the pressure after the break, but struggled to beat Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner. The game seemed to have been fizzling out, until the guests grabbed an equaliser with 15 minutes to go. Karim Onisiwo, who had only been on the pitch a few minutes, turned skilfully in the box before finding the top corner from 15 metres.

The game went up a gear after the goal, with chances coming for both teams in the final minutes. Harit managed to grab the winner – and what a goal it was! The midfielder received the ball from Jonjoe Kenny before charging towards the box and finding the bottom corner with the outside of his foot. The wonder goal sealed the victory in the 89th minute.

Next up: Leipzig away

The Miners face a trip to RB Leipzig in their next game on Saturday 28th September (15:30 CEST), who are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season.