Schalke beaten 4-0 by Leipzig on Baum debut

Four changes to the team

Manuel Baum made four changes to the team that were beaten by Werder Bremen last weekend. Salif Sané came in for the suspended Ozan Kabak. The Senegalese had played 45 minutes last week having recovered from injury. Matija Nastasic and Suat Serdar also returned to the team after recovering from knocks, while Alessandro Schöpf featured from the start. Sebastian Rudy, Nassim Boujellab and Benito Raman dropped to the bench in their place.

Three down at the break

Baum’s team started well in front of 8,500 spectators in Leipzig, defending compact and seeking to press themselves. After an even start, RB slowly assumed control of the game and almost took the lead in the 17th minute; Fährmann caught well after Angelino was unable to properly connect with a volley.

The hosts broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark in fortunate fashion. Kevin Kampl picked out Emil Forsberg in the box, whose square ball across goal was deflected off Nastasic and turned into the net by Can Bozdogan (31’), who had shortly before replaced the injured Suat Serdar.

The second fell just four minutes later when Angelino finished off a team goal with a diving header past Fährmann from close range (35’). The third blow fell deep into stoppage time, this time it was Willy Orban heading in for the hosts (45+2’).

Rönnow-Premiere

New signing Frederik Rönnow made his Schalke debut in the second half, replacing the injured Fährmann (muscular). Goncalo Paciencia was also brought off and replaced by Vedad Ibisevic.

RB kept up the tempo in the second period and had several chances to extend their lead. Nastasic was at hand to clear Nordi Mukiele’s headed effort, while Dani Olmo saw his teasing chip fly narrowly over the crossbar. Mukiele also fired wide from a free kick. At the other end, Bozdogan had Schalke’s sole chance of note, forcing a from Peter Gulacsi with a curling left-footed strike. Rönnow himself gave a good account of his abilities when given the opportunity, especially from a fizzed Nkunku free kick from the edge of the box.

The nail in the coffin fell in the 80th minute, as Marcel Halstenberg converted from the penalty spot after Nastasic was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Friendly during the international break

The Royal Blues will use the upcoming international break to give those players not involved with their national teams a chance to build match fitness in a friendly against SC Paderborn 07. The match against the 2. Bundesliga side kicks off at 14:00 CSET on Thursday, 8th October at the Parkstadion. The next Bundesliga fixture is at home against Union Berlin on Sunday, 18th October (18:00 CEST).