Extra time, red cards and Raman – Schalke make the quarterfinals!

Wagner makes four changes

David Wagner made four changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Hertha in the league on Friday night. Jean-Clair Todibo, Nassim Boujellab, Alessandro Schöpf and Ahmed Kutucu replaced Ozan Kaban, Weston McKennie, Suat Serdar and Benito Raman in the starting XI. It was Todibo’s first start since signing on loan from Barcelona during the winter break. Suat Serdar and Jonjoe Kenny were both out still due to ankle problems, while Markus Schubert is still suffering with a patellar tendon injury.

Köpke scores, Harit unlucky

After a slow start to the last-16 cup tie, Hertha had the first chance of the night. Marius Wolf’s shot was deflected by Matija Nastasic just over Alexander Nübel’s crossbar (10’). The side from the capital then did take the lead less than two minutes later. Wolf’s cross was turned home by Pascal Köpke from close range to make it 1-0.

S04 reacted quickly and were centimeters away from equalising. Amine Harit shot was saved by Rune Jarstein, but spun backwards onto the line until Jordan Torunarigha cleared it away at the last second. Harit also missed with a long-range shot in the 14th minute.

Piatek doubles Hertha’s lead

Schalke had more control of the game, but were failing to break down Hertha’s defence – just as they did on Friday night in Berlin. S04 fans were appealing for a handball in the 34th minute – the referee felt it was too close to give a penalty. In the 34th minute, Wagner’s side had another appeal turned down and Hertha broke up the other end and added a second through Krzysztof Piatek’s low drive.

Amine Harit couldn’t control a Bastian Oczipka cross to score just before half time, while Dedryck Boyata was close to turning the ball into his own net – instead Hertha went in 2-0 to the good.

Schalke can’t force it home

The Royal Blues looked to find a way back into the game after the half-time break, but continued to struggle to find gaps in Hertha’s back five. Their first notable moment came on the break as Harit served up Gregoritsch, but the Austrian couldn’t keep his shot down (57’).

Weston McKennie, who came off the bench, was on the end of a great squared ball from Schöpf, but as he looked to pull the trigger Boyata put in a fine tackle to deny him the chance.

Caligiuri and Harit make it 2-2

The Knappen finally found a goal in the 76th minute through Daniel Caligiuri, as the winger cut inside and forced a shot underneath Jarstein. The German-Italian was involved again six minutes later, as Schalke levelled the game. His pass was dummied by Schöpf to Amine Harit, who smashed home in the 82nd minute!

The VELTINS-Arena almost exploded once more in the dying minutes as Mascarell’s cross almost crept in at the back post – Jarstein was just on hand to tip it wide. Schalke ended normal time with just ten men, as Caligiuri had to go off injured. Juan Miranda replaced him at the start of extra time.

Wagner and Torunarigha sent off, Raman wins it

Schalke were the more attacking side at the beginning of extra time, and could have gone ahead in the 99th minute. Miranda’s brilliant cross was met by Benito Raman, who couldn’t quite keep his shot down from around eight yards out.

The 102nd minute then saw some bizarre scenes as both Hertha defender Jordan Torunarigha and S04 coach David Wagner were sent off. The incident began after a rough tackle by Omar Mascarell on Torunarigha by the touchline. Torunarigha then clashed with Wagner, as he threw a crate of water. He was shown his marching orders by the referee, before the video assistant also demanded a red for David Wagner.

Schalke still, however, had a man advantage on the pitch and wanted to use this in the dying embers of the game. With five minutes to go, Juan Miranda cleared a Hertha corner up to Raman, who skinned Lukas Klünter, ran clear of the Hertha defence and slotted it home through Jarstein’s legs to put Schalke 3-2 up. The whole Schalke bench sprinted to celebrate with the matchwinner, and although he missed another chance at the death, it didn’t matter. Schalke are into the quarterfinals of the DFB-Pokal!

Paderborn at home on Saturday, draw on Sunday

The draw for the quarterfinals will take place on Sunday (9/2, 18:00 CET), with the ties taking place on the 3rd and 4th March.

Schalke’s next league game is on Saturday at home to SC Paderborn at 15:30 CET.