Schalke lose 2-0 to Freiburg after Sallai brace

Matondo and Harit in the starting XI

Manuel Baum made two changes to the team that drew 2-2 with FC Augsburg on Sunday. Rabbi Matondo and Amine Harit replaced Alessandro Schöpf and Amine Harit, while Steven Skrzybski missed out with a thigh problem.

Kabak and Sané deny Sallai

The first chance of the game belonged to the visitors, who had more of the ball in the opening stages. Roland Sallai’s shot was deflected by Ozan Kabak towards goal, however Salif Sané was there to clear the danger (8’).

Three minutes later, Ralf Fährmann was called into action, clearing a cross-cum-shot by Vincenzo Grifo with his knee. Suat Serdar then cleared the bar with his long-range shot for the Royal Blues (17’).

Serdar shot too central, Raman’s too high

Schalke failed to create any attacking moments of note in the first half an hour, although they did still keep the visitors away from Ralf Fährmann’s goal. Manuel Baum’s side looked to push on and Benito Raman almost found Rabbi Matondo in the six-yard box, but Manuel Gulde cleared the danger (31’). Five minutes later, Suat Serdar led a break and fired a powerful shot on goal, only straight at the Freiburg keeper though (36’).

It was an even first half and both teams had half chances towards the end of it. Jonathan Schmid missed a volley for the away team (39’), while Benito Raman’s shot from distance went over the bar a minute later. The final notable moment of the first period again involved Raman. His free-kick after a foul on Boujellab flew over the bar, meaning the two sides went in goalless.

Sallai heads home

The second half began badly for S04. Jonathan Schmid’s cross was headed in at the near post by Rolland Sallai (50’). Nassim Boujellab tested out Florian Müller at the other end after a nice one-two with Amine Harit, however the angle was narrow and Müller was able to save (54’).

Sallai gets his second

Freiburg looked to sit back and play on the break once going ahead and Schalke failed to create anything in the final third of note. As a result, more space opened up and Freiburg found a second goal after 68 minutes. Grifo’s perfect through ball found Sallai, who beat Fährmann in a one-on-one to double SC’s lead.

Manuel Baum’s side couldn’t trouble visiting keeper Florian Müller in the final stages, with the game ending 2-0 for the away side.

Arminia on Saturday

S04’s final Bundesliga game of 2020 is on Saturday at home to Arminia Bielefeld (19/12, 15:30 CET).