Grönning’s dream goal too late
© Imago
FC Schalke 04 put a brilliant start into the new second division season and put an early dampers from Hertha BSC’s promotion rooms. In the duel of the two traditional clubs, the team of the new coach Miron Muslic won 2-1 (2-0) and aroused hopes for a successful season with his loyal attachment.
In front of 62,083 spectators in the sold -out Veltins Arena, Moussa Sylla (16th minute) and Nikola Katic (23rd) scored the hits for the Schalke, especially in the first half. The Berliners, on the other hand, disappoint almost the entire season. The dream goal by hoe from substitute Sebastian Grönning (89th) was late. Scorer Katic still saw the yellow-red card at Schalke (90.+8).
“It is a new chance for us to make up for a lot again,” said Schalke, who was still injured in a lack of captain Kenan Karaman before the game at “Sat.1”. And the royal blue started as if they wanted to complete the complete reparation for the worst season of the 121-year history of the club that evening. Schalke had only completed the past season in 14th place.
Schalke’s new coach Muslic had asked for a passionate appearance of his team – and surprised at the line -up. Vitalie Becker celebrated his professional debut, also the Soufiane el-Faouzi, who came from the 3rd division, as well as the Felipe Sánchez and Peter Remmert, who had hardly come to the train last season, were also in the starting eleven. Later, talent Mertcan Ayhan also made their debut. Anton Donkor and Amin Younes, on the other hand, were not part of the contingent and should be a string candidate after a weak preparation.
Muslic’s risk was rewarded, he got what he wanted: commitment, will and high intensity from the first minute. And the followers honestly rewarded the brilliant start. Already at the first corner in the first minute, the Veltins Arena cooked, as if the return to the 1st league was imminent.
Hertha BSC is impressed by Schalke
The Berliners traded by many experts as the number one promotion favorite were visibly impressed by the special atmosphere in the Schalke football temple. Hertha coach Stefan Leitl had put on a double tip with Fabian Reese and Dawid Kownacki, but the guests’ offensive did not take place at all for 90 minutes.
It was FC Schalke 04, almost relegated last season, who dominated the game and deservedly took the lead early. Remmert reacted at lightning speed after a collision with Márdon Dárdai and fit to Sylla while there was the first goal of the new second division season.
A little later Sylla almost added, but failed due to Hertha goalkeeper Tjark Ernst (18th). Five minutes later, the unleashed Schalke fans were able to cheer for the second time. After a corner, Katic headed to 2-0. In contrast, in the first round, with the exception of a header by Deyovaisio Zeefuik shortly after the Schalke 1-0, there was nothing to see from the highly traded Hertha. Reese and Kownacki could never put themselves in the spotlight.
That did not change even after the change of sides. Schalke no longer acted as energetically and powerfully as in the first round. However, the Berliners found no means against the compact defensive of the hosts up to Grönning’s late gate by hacking and acted much too slowly and without ideas themselves. So Schalke had no trouble making the first part of the announced reparation perfect.
