1-1 draw away to Karlsruher SC

No changes to the team

Head coach Dimitrios Grammozis went with the same XI that defeated SC Paderborn 2-0 last time out. Dong-gyeong Lee, however, wasn’t on the bench this time around. The midfielder has fractured a metatarsal and will be out for several weeks now.

Bülter flicks on, Terodde heads in

Schalke had slightly more of the ball in the first few minutes and also the first chance. A low cross by Marius Bülter in the seventh minute was only cleared to the feet of Blendi Idrizi. His shot from around ten yards out was blocked by Philip Heise. Following that, the home team grew into the game more and created their first opportunities. Philip Heise’s driven cross after a one-two on the left wing was cleared well by Salif Sané for a corner (18’), which then resulted in more danger. Daniel Gordon volleyed it over the bar at the back post (19’).

The first goal at the Wildpark belonged to S04 on Saturday afternoon. A Thomas Ouwejan corner was flicked on by Marius Bülter at the front post. Simon Terodde was waiting unmarked at the far post and simply headed into an empty net to give the Knappen the lead (27’). Karlsruhe weren’t shocked by going behind and had several dangerous moments as they searched for an equaliser. Firstly, striker Philipp Hofmann crashed a strike off the post from a Marco Thiede flick on (30’). 120 seconds later, Daniel O’Shaughnessy was in a good position following a free-kick and hit one goalbound. Martin Fraisl made himself big and saved with his chest (31’).

Choi equalises

The leveller for KSC came just two minutes after O’Shaughnessy’s chance. Marco Thiede’s cross from the right found Kyoung-rok Choi in the box. He dinked it over the Schalke defenders for himself and then slotted it past Fraisl from close range (34’). The final notable action of the first period saw Blendi Idrizi hit one from distance, just missing the far post (40’).

Post stops Schalke retaking the lead

Dimitrios Grammozis made two changes for the second half, bringing on Dominick Drexler and Danny Latza for Yaroslav Mikhailov and Blendi Idrizi. The hosts were the more dominant side at the start of the second period. Philipp Hofmann had the first chance, heading a somewhat weak header into the arms of Martin Fraisl (49’). For the away team, Florian Flick dragged a shot wide from far out.

As the second half went on, more of the play was in Karlsruhe’s half. Thomas Ouwejan had a shot from a decent position blocked after a Terodde knock down. Grammozis then brought on Henning Matriciani. He immediately put in a dangerous cross towards Dominick Drexler, whose header hit the outside of the post via a deflection (68’). The Royal Blues would then have another good opportunity via a header – Darko Churlinov couldn’t properly connect though, and his effort bounced over the bar from an Ouwejan delivery (72’).

Gersbeck denies Pieringer at the end

Schalke pushed forward in search of a winning goal in the final 20 minutes, however they lacked a real cutting edge in the final third. Instead, Marvin Wanitzek missed decent chances for KSC in the closing stages.

The best chance for a winner came right at the end for Schalke. Thomas Ouwejan’s pin-point cross picked out substitute Marvin Pieringer in the box. Goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck did really well to deny Pieringer’s low effort with his legs (90’). The resulting corner then ended up in Karlsruhe breaking. Marvin Fraisl pushed Lucas Cueto’s near-post effort over the bar and it therefore ended 1-1.

At home to Hansa Rostock

S04’s next game is in exactly a week’s time (Saturday, 5/3) at home to FC Hansa Rostock at the VELTINS-Arena (13:30 CET).