Mohr with an assist and a goal apiece as S04 win 2-0 in Aalen

Several competitive debuts and a first start for Bulut

Karel Geraerts made five changes to his team from last weekend’s game away at 1. FC Nürnberg. As announced at the pre-match press conference, Ron-Thorben Hoffmann started in goal in place of Justin Heekeren and thus made his competitive debut for the club. Centre-backs Martin Wasinski and Felipe Sanchez also made their first appearance in a competitive game for S04, replacing Ibrahima Cissé and Marcin Kaminski.

Taylan Bulut, who made his professional debut on the final day of last season, played at right-back in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The 2023 U17 European Championship winner deputised for Adrian Gantenbein (rested as a precaution). The other alteration saw Mehmet Can Aydin come in for Emil Højlund, who was suffering from muscular problems in his thigh.

Lots of possession, chances at a premium

It was a slow start to proceedings at the CENTUS ARENA. Although Schalke quickly took control of the game, they struggled to threaten early on. The fifth-division side were compact and afforded S04 little space in the final third.

Mehmet Can Aydin had the game’s first shot after 11 minutes. Taylan Bulut teed him up in the box and Schalke’s number 23 fired just over the bar. Aalen looked to play a lot of long balls up the pitch, a tactic that rarely came off in the first half.

VfR goalkeeper Andreas Wick was called into action for the first time after half an hour. Bulut chested down a cross from Murkin and then tried his luck from a tight angle, forcing Wick into a save at his near post. Just a minute later though, Wick was beaten as Tobias Mohr’s free-kick was headed in by captain Kenan Karaman (31’). Replays showed that the striker was actually in an offside position, but, with no VAR in the first two rounds of the DFB-Pokal, the goal stood and Schalke were in front.

Moussa Sylla had a chance to make it 2-0 less than two minutes after the opening goal. Aydin controlled the ball with his chest and then played it to the striker, whose first-time shot was saved by Wick. Schalke otherwise struggled to create opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

Mohr pounces on an Aalen error

The second half also began with little action to speak of, though referee Dr. Felix Brych was forced to issue several yellow cards as it became heated at times. It took the Knappen until the 61st minute to create another decent chance. Tobias Mohr’s accurate cross found Moussa Sylla, but his header from close range was saved by Andreas Wick.

Wick conceded a second goal seven minutes later. VfR substitute Mussa Fofanah’s back pass from the halfway line was misplaced and that allowed Tobias Mohr to steal in and race in behind. He then slotted the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to double S04’s lead (68’).

A short corner from Derry John Murkin almost produced a third goal with 10 minutes left to play. On this occasion though, Kenan Karaman could only hit the underside of the bar. Two minutes later, another Murkin corner proved dangerous. Janik Bachmann, free at the far post, headed wide.

Ron Schallenberg forced Wick into a good save with a curling effort on his left foot from the edge of the box (86’). S04’s number six had another opportunity too, but his shot from close range was blocked by defender Ali Odabas. Janik Bachmann looked to have scored in injury time from a Murkin free-kick, until the referee blew up for a foul by Felipe Sanchez. As a result, it ended 2-0 in Baden-Württemberg.

Third successive away game

After trips to Nürnberg and Aalen, FC Schalke 04’s next game is also away from home. Karel Geraerts’ team are in action on Sunday (25/8) at 1. FC Magdeburg. Kick off at the Avnet Arena will be at 13:30 CEST.