At the start of the 10th match day of the Bundesliga, FC Schalke 04 lost to TSG Hoffenheim. Coach Frank Kramer has to worry about his job.
On Friday evening (October 14th, 2022) Schalke 04 lost to TSG Hoffenheim 0: 3 (0: 2), it was the fourth defeat in a row. This could have consequences for the coach Frank Kramer. He had been a trainer with an uncertain future even before this defeat. His job hasn’t gotten any safer.
“I’m not the right contact person”, Kramer said in an interview with ARD radio. The newly promoted team from Gelsenkirchen is currently 16th in the table – however, VfL Bochum and VfB Stuttgart could overtake them at the weekend.
Hoffenheim, on the other hand, climbed to third place in the table for at least one night. Robert Skov scored twice from the penalty spot in his fifth win of the season (11th minute, 59th), and Mounas Dabbour (45’+2) was also successful.
Schalke does not play badly – and is still behind
At the end of the first half, Schalke’s coach Kramer stood there, shaking his head once, twice, three times, and generally looked somewhat incredulous. Schalke have played a lot worse this season, maybe it was even the best first half this season, but they were still behind. The trend is not a friend of all Schalke.
The game started with a nuisance for those who support the royal blues. It was the 7th minute when Schalke’s Leo Greiml tried to clear Christoph Baumgartner in the penalty area, but only hit Hoffenheim. Referee Florian Badstübner initially allowed play to continue, but then VAR called. So Badstübner looked at the scene again and revised his decision.
Hoffenheim hit the goal, Schalke only the post
Penalties for Hoffenheim, that was also a realization of this game, are a matter for Skov. The Dane ran, he shot with his left foot, powerful and placed – lead for Hoffenheim.
Schalke’s reaction to this deficit was basically positive. They were committed, they won duels, they created chances – they just didn’t manage a goal. Once, when Florent Mollet hit the post from the turn, it was very close (30th).
Hoffenheim counters Schalke
But it is also true that Schalke have repeatedly opened up space for Hoffenheim to counterattack. For a long time, Hoffenheim dealt with these opportunities very carelessly, then came the stoppage time of the first half and with it a counterattack like from the textbook.
Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann intercepted a Schalke corner. His pass was precise, it went right into Georginio Rutter’s path. And Rutter served Dabbur, who flicked wonderfully into the far corner.
Schalke’s Bülter also hits the post
At the beginning of the second half, Schalke were unlucky again when Marius Bülter headed in from a corner but only hit the post (56′). It was nothing with the goal. The atmosphere didn’t get any better afterwards: Schalke’s Thomas Ouwejan fended off a cross with an outstretched arm – penalty for Hoffenheim.
Skov started again, shot well again and placed – it was the decision after less than an hour. “I am very satisfied with the result”said Hoffenheim coach André Breitenreiter the ARD radio. “We scored the goals at the right time.”
Hoffenheim against the record champions
On Matchday 11, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim will host FC Bayern Munich (Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 3:30 p.m.). One day later, Schalke will go to Hertha in the capital (5:30 p.m.).