Kozuki and Cissé on target in 2-2 draw in Osnabrück

Kaminski returns

Thomas Reis used 20 players against the third-division side, including Maya Yoshida on his return from the World Cup. A number of players from the U23s also featured once again. Centre-back Marcin Kaminski made his return to action after several months out following a calf operation.

Kozuki scores on his birthday

Schalke knocked the ball about nicely in the opening stages, though they failed to create any dangerous moments in the first quarter of an hour. That changed in the 16th minute as VfL goalkeeper Daniel Adamczyk was beaten for the first time. A long ball forward was headed to Soichiro Kozuki, who was celebrating his 22nd birthday on the day of the game, on the edge of the area. He shifted the ball onto his right foot and found the bottom corner with a superb strike to make it 1-0.

Erik Engelhardt had the home team’s first decent chance to equalise, just two minutes later. Ralf Fährmann was on his toes to block his shot from around 10 yards out (18’). Osnabrück did restore parity five minutes later, however. A Simakala free-kick was headed towards goal by Paterson Chato, who saw his effort parried by Fährmann. Chato was able to convert the rebound to level the game from just a few yards out.

At the other end, Marius Bülter got himself into a good shooting position. His strike was pushed past the post by Adamczyk (27’). VfL had the next chance when Simakala fired well wide (34’).

A one-two between Bülter and Simon Terodde created a decent chance for S04 in the 38th minute, but Terodde’s finish went straight into the arms of the Osnabrück keeper. The final noteworthy shot of the first half was by Florian Kleinhansl, albeit an easy one for Fährmann to save (40’).

Late equaliser through Cissé

Schalke made five changes at the start of the second half. One of those five players introduced, Alexander Schwolow, was immediately in the thick of the action when Osnabrück were awarded a penalty less than two minutes into the second period. Cedric Brunner was adjudged to have fouled Ba-Muaka Simakala, who stepped up himself to score from the spot.

Another substitute, Sebastian Polter, wasn’t far off finding an immediate response for Schalke. He was inches away from connecting with Florent Mollet’s enticing free-kick, which the Osnabrück goalkeeper still needed to push away to safety (52’). Schalke were hoping for a penalty of their own two minutes later, but referee Luca Jürgensen ignored their protests after Mollet was pushed in the box following a one-two with Polter.

Schalke were fortunate to not fall further behind in the 62nd minute. Noel Niemann was clean through but struck his shot over Schwolow’s goal from just inside the box. Florent Mollet volleyed well over after a Polter knock down five minutes later. Polter then turned defender Maxwell Gyamfi twice in the area, however he couldn’t keep his shot down (71’).

Osnabrück had the ball in the net for the third time after 76 minutes, but the goalscorer Marc Heider was in an offside position according to the linesman. There was time for one more goal, though not for the hosts. Andreas Ivan’s free-kick from the byline was converted at the far post by Ibrahima Cissé (86’).

Both sides had chances to win the game during injury time. Philipp Kühn firstly saved a shot from Mehmet Can Aydin, before Alexander Schwolow was on hand to keep out a deflected Henry Rorig attempt.

Two friendlies in Turkey

2023 will begin with a training camp in Belek, Turkey. Thomas Reis’ side will prepare for the rest of the season there from 2nd to 11th January. During that time, S04 will play FC Zürich on 7th January and 1. FC Nürnberg on 10th January (both at 15:30 local time).