FC Schalke 04 also suffered a defeat in the 2nd Bundesliga under new coach Karel Geraerts.
On the Belgian’s debut in the coaching bench, the “Knappen” lost clearly and deservedly at Karlsruher SC with 0:3 (0:2). The goals in front of 30,000 spectators in the Karlsruhe Wildpark were scored by Lars Stindl (22nd) and Igor Matanovic (37th) as well as Henning Matriciani (75th) with an own goal.
Schalke remain in 16th place with seven points. KSC, on the other hand, stopped its downward slide with five games without a win and moved up to twelfth place with twelve points.
The offensive line-up was worth it, said KSC coach Christian Eichner. “It’s always our idea to put the opponent under pressure early on. A lot of things came together for us today.”
Schalke coach Geraerts mixes up the starting eleven
Schalke’s Geraerts turned that around with seven changes to the starting line-up team neatly around. Ralf Fährmann replaced Justin Heerkenen in goal, while Tomas Kalas lined up at the back in a newly formed three-man chain alongside Timo Baumgartl and Marcin Kaminski. Paul Seguin and Yusuf Kabadayi were given a chance in midfield. In addition, a completely new offensive began at S04 with Assan Ouédraogo as well as Bryan Lasme and Simon Terodde.
Schalke’s changes were noticeable right from the start, as almost only KSC played in the first half. The game almost completely went past the guests. Stindl’s leadership was a logical consequence.
After a cross from Fabian Schleusener, Matanović put the ball on the ex-national player and he pulled the ball from the left edge of the box into the far corner. Shortly afterwards it was almost 2-0. A cross from Paul Nebel was deflected by Lino Tempelmann and hit the crossbar.
Schalker misses a great opportunity, but KSC scores
Schalke showed their first offensive sign of life in the 35th minute, and that should have been the equalizer, but Lasme pulled the ball past the goal during a counterattack.
Instead, the Karlsruhe team followed up. Nebel passed from the right into the center, where Matanović was completely free and finished coldly from the turn.
Changes don’t help Schalke
During the break, Geraerts brought in three new players in Soichiro Kozuki, Tobias Mohr and Matriciani, but little changed. In the 58th minute, Fährmann saved his team with a shot from Schleusener before the 0:3.
Schalke also got better because Karlsruhe subsequently withdrew. But Kozuki and Ouédraogo didn’t have more than a double chance. At least Schalker became bolder again in this phase of the game.
Decision by own goal
The decision was made in the 75th minute: Stindl played the ball on the right side out to Schleusener and Henning Matriciani maneuvered his cross into his own goal. In the final phase, Fährmann prevented even worse things from happening against a game-loving Karlsruhe team team.
There was no sign of the winning mentality that Geraerts had demanded, nor of any new impetus from Schalke. On the contrary: the balance after Thomas Reis was kicked out three and a half weeks ago is sobering with three bankruptcies and 2:8 goals. Instead of the desired promotion, there is a threat of relegation to the 3rd league.
Schalke’s Baumgartl: “We’re not like that competitive”
The Schalke fans were correspondingly upset; there were a lot of conversations about that team went into the visitors’ corner after the encounter. “What happened is absolutely justified. Support is unconditional, and once again we can’t get it on the record.”said Schalke’s Timo Baumgartl.
Everyone has to question themselves whether that is enough. “We are in a situation that is extremely dangerous. If it doesn’t work in terms of football, we have to do it with intensity. That way we are not competitive, that is too little from everyone and also deserves a lot.”
KSC against St. Pauli, Schalke welcomes Hannover
Karlsruher SC faces FC St. Pauli on matchday 11 (Saturday, October 28th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.). Schalke hosts Hannover 96 at the same time.