Successful result on Schalke-Day: S04 defeat VfL Bochum 3-0

It was a successful Saturday from a Royal-Blue perspective. After an entertaining and varied programme that lasted three hours on Schalke Day 2020, the friendly against VfL Bochum brought the digital season opener to a close. Vedad Ibisevic did not feature in the game against our close neighbours.

Nastasic replaced early on by Boujellab

Just as the Royal Blues were settling into the game, an early setback came in the form of an injury to Matija Nastasic, as a high boot from Bochum attacker Silvère Ganvoula struck the back of the Schalke defender’s head. Nastasic was treated for a lengthy period of time and was finally replaced by Nassim Boujellab, with Benjamin Stambouli moving into central defence.

However, S04 were unfazed by this early setback and soon began to take control of the game. Wagner’s team nearly took the lead in the 16th minute when Benito Raman almost picked out Mark Uth, who would have found himself in a great position but could not capitalise. Seven minutes later, Bastian Oczipka found Uth with a cross but the attacker could only head the ball straight into the arms of VfL keeper Manuel Riemann.

Boujellab, Uth and Harit hit three in 14 minutes

Shortly afterwards, the Royal Blues were rewarded for their convincing performance. In the 25th minute, Amine Harit found Boujellab from just inside the area, who flicked the ball from the edge of the box into the top corner, leaving Riemann no chance. S04 were not satisfied with one goal and continued to push forward. Uth was unable to finish off a beautiful run in the 27th minute, but was more successful six minutes later as he surprised Riemann with a free kick from 26 yards, firing under the wall into the bottom right corner.

But Schalke were hungry for more. In the 39th minute, Raman found Oczipka with a nice ball on the left, who passed the ball on to Uth. The striker attempted a shot from an acute angle which the keeper could only parry into the path of Harit, who made no mistake from 12 yards out.

The visitors’ best chance came to Robert Zulj, who headed the ball over the bar in the 44th minute from a corner. Half time saw S04 winning 3-0.

Uth strikes the post

In the second half of the game, Schalke continued on the front foot and remained compact in defence. Even when Bochum’s Milos Pantovic found himself open in front of goal in an offside position, Ralf Fährmann was on hand with a good save in the 54th minute.

The Royal Blues’ better chances came in the second half, with Uth remaining a constant source of trouble for the Bochum defence. After exactly an hour, the left-footer broke into the box and fired the ball into the penalty area, but Riemann saved with his feet to prevent a fourth Schalke goal. In the 67th minute, the VfL keeper was left helpless as Uth struck the post. After a foul by Armel Bella-Kotchap, Uth took the free-kick and struck the upright from 20 yards with his left foot.

Uth with final chance of the game

Wagner’s side didn’t show any sign of letting up and came close again on two more occasions in the final quarter of the game. Riemann saved a right-footed effort from Harit (77’), before Uth’s shot from 20 yards flew wide of the right-hand post, meaning the score remained 3-0.

DFB-Pokal on 13th September

Saturday’s friendly against Bochum was S04’s final game of pre-season. On Sunday 13th September, the Royal Blues’ 2020/21 season gets underway, with kickoff coming at 15:30 CEST. Schalke have been drawn against the Bavarian Football Association’s representative club, which has not yet been confirmed. This will however be revealed as soon as possible.