S04 knocked out of the DFB-Pokal in Darmstadt

Porath replaces Becker – Remmert makes the bench

There was one change to the team that beat Darmstadt in the league just five days ago. Finn Porath replaced Vitalie Becker on the left, with the Germany U20 international not in the squad due to his heavy workload in recent weeks, though he was part of the 27-man group that travelled south for this match and Saturday’s fixture in Karlsruhe. Peter Remmert made his return from the ankle injury he suffered on matchday 2 to take his place on the bench.

Both sets of fans fall silent due to medical emergency

Both sets of supporters stopped singing early on following a medical emergency in the stands.

Darmstadt created the first opening of the game in the 10th minute, as Fraser Hornby fired over from around 15 yards out. Eight minutes later, the striker tested Loris Karius with another effort.

Schalke had a golden chance to take the lead in the 22nd minute. After a free-kick delivery from Finn Porath from the left fell kindly to Kenan Karaman, the captain shot from close range but Marcel Schuhen reacted superbly to deny him and keep it goalless.

Darmstadt strike twice in quick succession

The hosts went in front almost immediately afterwards. Following a rapid break down the right, Isac Lidberg laid the ball off to Hiroki Akiyama, whose first effort was blocked by Hasan Kuruçay, only for the Japanese midfielder to tuck the rebound into the bottom-right corner (23’).

Darmstadt continued to threaten. Luca Marseiler’s ambitious attempt from near the halfway line forced Karius to tip behind (26’). From the resulting corner, Karius was unable to hold onto the ball and Ron Schallenberg had to clear Hornby’s header off the line (27’). The next corner led to the second goal, as Matej Maglica easily headed home to make it 2-0 (28’). Four minutes later, Lidberg was sent clean through but dragged his shot just wide of the left post.

Schalke managed only one more chance before the break, when Adrian Gantenbein fired over after being picked out by Karaman on the edge of the box (42’). The Royal Blues went into the break trailing 2-0.

Hornby and Bialek add to Darmstadt’s lead

Darmstadt extended their advantage shortly after the restart. Hornby exchanged passes with Marseiler on the halfway line, broke clear and slotted into the bottom-left corner from 12 yards out (48’). Karius then pushed another Hornby effort past the left post in the 56th minute.

After Moussa Sylla went close with a low effort from just inside the box (58’), substitute Bartosz Bialek added a fourth on the hour mark. Played in by Kai Klefisch, the forward finished calmly into the bottom corner.

The result was beyond doubt at that point. Schalke’s best opportunity came in the 73rd minute, but Janik Bachmann, played through by Amin Younes, lifted the ball over the bar with only Schuhen to beat. Late on, Younes flicked a Finn Porath cross on to Anton Donkor, who missed the target from a promising position (87’).

Karlsruhe up next

The Royal Blues are back in action on Saturday (1/11) away against Karlsruher SC. The matchday 11 fixture will kick off at 13:00 CET.