After the botched start in the 2nd Bundesliga, FC Schalke 04 suffered another setback at SV Wehen Wiesbaden. The Gelsenkircheners, who had been dominant for a long time, conceded the equalizer late.
On Saturday (September 2nd, 2023) Schalke had to settle for a 1-1 (0-0) draw in Wiesbaden. The first goal of the rather tough game was scored by winger Tobias Mohr for Schalke (54th). The dominance of the guests increased after that, but Joker Rheintaler shocked the “Miners” with his late equalizer (90+5).
With the draw, Schalke now have four points after five games and are in a disappointing 13th place. Promoted Wiesbaden is in sixth place with a strong eight points.
Reis criticizes anxious S04 final minutes
“We were playfully superior, unfortunately not compelling enough in the last third”, Schalke coach Thomas Reis analyzed afterwards on the sports show microphone. The team “showed a different face” than in the last two games. But: “In the last ten minutes you can see a bit of fear that you can lose something.”
His opponent, Markus Kauczinski, found his team’s first half “not good”Wiesbaden also have their own offensive game “lost too many balls”. But he praised them “bolder” Approach in the second round.
S04 presses without a brilliant idea, SVW disciplined
The playful balance of power leveled off quickly at the beginning of the game in favor of Schalke. S04 gained clear ball possession and field advantages early on. However, the 11,000 fans in the stadium had a tough game throughout the first half.
Because SV Wehen Wiesbaden limited itself to its core competence in the defensive game, acted with a five-man chain and reliably entangled the guests in intensive duels. Kauczinski’s team won over 60 percent of the duels.
Although Schalke made significantly more shots on goal in the first period (6:1), the Reis team rarely found promising final positions. Significant: Captain Simon Terodde, record goalscorer in the 2nd Bundesliga, was up in the air. He was only on the ball five times.
Newcomer Murkin brings a breath of fresh air and assists
Both coaches made changes during the half-time break, and debutants came into play on both Schalke and Wiesbaden sides. Reinthaler replaced Florian Carstens at SVWW, and Derry John Murkin replaced the rather pale Soichiro Kozuki at Schalke (46th).
And Schalke’s Murkin left no doubt that he had planned something for his first appearance in S04 dress. As a left winger he enlivened the game. And Murkin only needed eight minutes to set up the opening goal with a precise pass into the penalty area in Schalke’s best attack to date.
Rheintaler ensures petrified S04 mines
After that, Schalke played partially free and created more good chances. Murkin missed the decision in the closing stages (77′), and Danny Latza later hit the post from close range (85′).
Midfielder Lino Tempelmann involuntarily put goalkeeper Marius Müller under pressure (90+5), his blackout initially had no consequences. For now. Because it was indicative of the suddenly adventurous defensive attitude of the “Royal Blues”.
Robin Heusser’s shot was supposedly cleared by Schalke’s Henning Matriciani on the line, but he shot Wiesbaden debutant Rheintaler. And the SVWW celebrated the compensation. Ivan Prtajin could even have scored the winning goal (90+7).
Wiesbaden in Paderborn, Schalke against Magdeburg
Both clubs have evening games on the coming day. First of all, SV Wehen Wiesbaden is challenged away to Paderborn on Friday evening (September 15th, 2023, 6:30 p.m.). FC Schalke 04 welcome 1. FC Magdeburg under floodlights one day later (8.30 p.m.).