Schalke put five past Darmstadt to secure a fifth straight win

No changes to the team

Head coach Mike Büskens went with the same side that defeated 1. FC Heidenheim 3-0 last week. Henning Matriciani and Kerim Calhanoglu played as full-backs as part of a back-four. Ko Itakura started in central midfield with Danny Latza, and Simon Terodde partnered Marius Bülter up front. Andreas Vindheim made the squad for the first time since picking up a calf injury in the 2-1 win over Regensburg at the beginning of February. Victor Pálsson was also on the bench after recovering from Covid-19.

Darmstadt start well and deservedly take the lead

The hosts were by far the better team at the start of the game. The first shot was by their striker, Phillip Tietz, which went well over from 20 yards out (2’). A minute later, Braydon Manu hung one up to the back post and Matthias Bader volleyed towards goal. Martin Fraisl was there to tip it over the bar (3’). This corner also then led to danger, with Lasse Sobiech heading over from close range (4’).

Schalke didn’t start well at all, and Darmstadt took advantage to take the lead. Just before the goal, Braydon Manu rounded Fraisl, but his cross went just over and clipped the bar (10’). 60 seconds later, the home team got the goal. Tim Skarke’s cross was headed by Tietz onto the post and it rebounded to the striker, who had the simple job of scoring into an empty net (11’).

Terrode brace, another Tietz goal, Bülter makes it 3-2

Darmstadt’s goal was a wake-up call for S04, who quickly found the perfect response. Danny Latza played it to Rodrigo Zalazar out wide. His cross was flicked on by Marius Bülter at the front post and Simon Terodde was in the right place to nod home at the back post to equalise (14’). The 34-year-old striker was celebrating again 15 minutes later. Zalazar’s chipped cross into the box was met again by Terodde, who got the better of Thomas Isherwood in the air to find the net for a second time with a header. That made it 2-1 to the Royal Blues, who lost their captain five minutes prior to this. Danny Latza was caught by Fabian Holland on the touchline and had to go off injured. He suffered a suspected ankle injury and was replaced by Victor Pálsson.

The first half was a real rollercoaster for both teams and Darmstadt soon found a leveller. Braydon Manu’s cross was headed past Fraisl by Phillip Tietz for his second of the afternoon (34’). Mike Büskens’ team struck the final blow in the first half, however. Marius Bülter was the man to get the goal, cutting inside and then beating Darmstadt keeper Morten Behrens via a deflected strike (43’). A crazy first half, in which eight additional minutes were played, ended 3-2 to S04.

Hat-trick for Bülter

Unlike in the first half, it was Schalke who began the second period on top. A long ball by Martin Fraisl was headed on by Victor Pálsson. A mix-up between Morten Behrens and Patric Pfeiffer allowed Marius Bülter to sprint in between them and he then chested it past the goalkeeper and slotted into the empty goal for S04’s fourth (48’). The Knappen continued to have chances, including Bülter’s shot from range (52’) and Zalazar’s rocket that clipped the top of the bar (56’).

Bülter’s (and Schalke’s) day would then get even better after 62 minutes. Terodde headed it to him on the right, he dribbled past Pfeiffer and then struck the ball low into the bottom corner – a brilliant goal to complete his hat-trick!

Resolute defending by the Royal Blues

Darmstadt certainly didn’t give up, however Schalke were compact at the back and didn’t let their opponents have many chances. One they did have was a Tim Skarke effort from a corner, which was deflected narrowly past the post. Right before the final whistle, Ko Itakura blocked a powerful Pfeiffer shot bravely with his head and the rebound by Mathias Honsak only found the side-netting (89’). The Knappen therefore left Darmstadt with all three points thanks to a big 5-2 win!

Bremen up next

Schalke’s next game, on matchday 31, is on Saturday (23/4) at home to SV Werder Bremen. Kick off at the VELTINS-Arena is 13:30 CEST.