The false start of FC Schalke 04 is complete: With the 0: 2 home defeat against Holstein Kiel on Friday (08/25/2023), the royal blues in the 2nd Bundesliga are stuck at the bottom for the first time. Blame was a wild hara-kiri tactic.
The first half was pure horror for Schalke. Efforts to press hard and play fast forward were recognizable. But the effect on the offensive was zero, at the same time the defensive game was far too open and could be overturned with simple maneuvers: Again and again the complete coverage of the Royal Blues was so advanced that the state of emergency regularly broke out with passes into the depths.
Optically very good values such as 54 percent possession of the ball, 58 percent won duels and 8: 6 shots on goal when changing sides did not lead to anything because the decisive spaces were not occupied and there was no protection in the event of mistakes.
Kiel’s Michel scores with a dust collector
The first punishment of this high-risk football followed in the 15th minute when Tom Rothe had a completely clear path on the left, his shot still missed the post – but Benedikt Pichler, who was also unmarked, effortlessly pushed the rebound to 1-0 for Kiel across the line.
Schalke tried to get answers, but hardly ever got center forward Simon Terodde on the show. In the 25th minute, however, the fans saw his class when he put his back to goal perfectly for the rushing Danny Latza – but he chased the ball just over the bar.
Red for Schalke’s Schallenberg
Next blow in the neck in the 39th minute: When Kiel counterattacked again – as usual without protecting the Royal Blues – Steven Skrybski went through freely, Ron Schallenburg touched his heel lightly. Since he was the last man to do so, referee Deniz Aytekin immediately drew red.
Shortly before the break, Schalke was able to counterattack once outnumbered, but the 17-year-old super jewel Ouédraogo failed after a strong individual action by “Storks” keeper Timon Weiner.
Müller saves against Skrzybski
Shortly thereafter, Skrzybski already forgave the possible preliminary decision: After the completely indisposed Henning Matriciani jumped under the ball on the center line when trying to head the ball and once again nobody helped out behind him, Skrzybski went alone to keeper Marius Müller – but he saved the 0:1 with a super reflex in the break.
After the change, Schalke tried tirelessly outnumbered, but still lacked any penetration.
Machino with the decision
In the 59th minute, the defeat was practically sealed when Shuto Machino scored the 2-0 after one of Kiel’s many quick attacks: Rothe had started again from the left, his cross simply let three Schalke players pass in the middle, giving the Japanese the longest only had to push in the post.
It could have been even worse in the closing stages, but Nicolai Remberg only hit the Schalke post.
Kiel welcomes Paderborn, Schalke in Wiesbaden
On Matchday 5, Holstein Kiel will host SC Paderborn (Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 1 p.m.). Schalke are playing in Wiesbaden at the same time.