2nd league
Schalke 04 continues in the relegation battle after a draw in Elversberg
Ron Schallenberg (l) and Schalke couldn’t get past a 1-1 draw at newly promoted SV Elversberg. photo
© Silas Schueller/Defodi Images/DeFodi Images/dpa
After a lucky draw with the promoted team, the Bundesliga relegated team still has to worry about staying in the 2nd league.
Florian Le Joncour gave the Saarlanders, who have 40 points to their name, the lead in the 18th minute. Keke Topp (59th) scored to equalize.
The guests started the game energetically and could have taken the lead early on. However, a powerful shot from Kenan Karaman (6th) only hit the crossbar. After a quarter of an hour Schalke lost their dominance. Shortly after Jannik Rochelt and Paul Wanner missed a double chance, Le Joncour scored with a header to make it 1-0 for Elversberg.
The deficit had an impact on Schalke, who only came back dangerously in front of the opponent’s goal shortly before the break. Again it was Karaman who failed with a header past SVE goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof. Simon Terodde put the rebound next to the post.
Geraerts shows good luck
At the restart, Schalke coach Karel Geraerts brought the best for Derry Murkin – and thus showed a lucky touch. After almost an hour, the new man equalized with a direct pass from Karaman.
The Royal Blues were now better in the game again, but were then lucky that a shot from Wanner (71′) hit the crossbar and Rochelt (81′), completely free, was denied by the Schalke goalkeeper in front of Marius Müller.