S04’s winning run ends with defeat in Hamburg

Oczipka misses out through injury

In Hamburg, Domenico Tedesco had to do without Bastian Oczipka who had a muscle problem. Thilo Kehrer came in as his replacement. There were two further changes to the side which won 2-0 against Freiburg. Nabil Bentaleb and Franco di Santo made way for Max Meyer and Amine Harit. Cedric Teuchert also missed out through injury after making his Bundesliga debut last weekend.

Naldo scores but Kostic equalises

Hamburg flew out of the blocks and attacked the Knappen from the off. Despite their early pressure, it was Schalke who took the lead with their first opportunity. Naldo got on the end of Daniel Caligiuri’s free-kick to put the Knappen in front. However, the Rothosen immediately responded as Filip Kostic headed in from close range after a long throw from Douglas Santos. It was the first goal Schalke had conceded in five games.

After the leveller, HSV continued to apply pressure. Lewis Holtby’s shot from the edge of the penalty area whistled wide of the post. The sides went into the break level but HSV were certainly in the ascendancy.

Hunt's wonderstrike makes the difference

The Royal Blues did not start the second half well. Despite the introduction of Franco di Santo and Weston McKennie, it was Hamburg who took the lead. Tatsuya Ito’s cross was met by Lewis Holtby and his effort trickled over the line.

On the hour mark, Schalke finally got a foothold in the game and made the most of it. Guido Burgstaller smashed in the rebound after Leon Goretzka was denied by Pollersbeck. With the score tied at 2-2, the game opened up and it was the hosts who turned it in their favour. Aaron Hunt’s shot from distance rocketed into the top corner past a helpless Ralf Fährmann. The goal decided the game and ended Schalke’s run.

Derby in the VELTINS-Arena

No one could begrudge Hamburger SV of their hard-fought win. At 2-2, anyone could have got the goal and the goal that decided the game was one of real quality.

Next up for Schalke is the game many have been waiting weeks for: the derby! Schalke’s clash with Dortmund takes place next Sunday at 15:30 CET in a sold out VELTINS Arena. Schalke will have to do without Matija Nastasic though. The Serbia international collected his fifth yellow card of the season in Hamburg.