FC Schalke 04 is the “stand-up man of the hour” in the Bundesliga. As in the 2-2 win in the district derby against Borussia Dortmund last week, Schalke came back to FC Augsburg on matchday 25 and saved their series with a 1-1 (0-0) win.
The Augsburg lead by Arne Maier (51st) shortly after the break was equalized by Marius Bülter on Saturday (03/18/2023) in added time with a penalty kick (90th + 3). After a red card against Ermedin Demirovic, Augsburg had to play outnumbered from the 53rd minute due to a foul play. “The equalizer wasn’t undeserved in the end, but you have to say that the red card helped us in the end,” Schalke coach Thomas Reis analyzed for Sportschau.
Although FCA missed their fifth home win in a row, they remain seven points away from the relegation zone with 28 points. Schalke 04 have taken twelve points from eight unbeaten games, but remain second to last with 21 points.
Schalke goalkeeper ferryman defused Rexhbecaj shot strongly
As is to be expected from the table constellation, the spectators in Augsburg were offered raw football food from the start. “It was a very intense game. We knew beforehand that they didn’t come here to play good football,” said Augsburg’s Jeffrey Gouweleeuw on the Sportschau microphone. Both teams gave nothing in the duels. The offensive game clearly suffered as a result. Up until the break, Augsburg and Schalke had less than 75 percent pass rates and only got through to the goalkeeper twice with their shots.
Elvis Rexhbecaj had the best opportunity for Augsburg with a 20-metre shot, which Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann fished out of the bottom right corner (23′). On the other hand, FCA goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz was also on his toes against shots from Bülter (19′) and Michael Frey (45′ + 1).
Augsburg’s Demirovic puts on the lead and sees red
Schalke 04 then messed up their match plan shortly after the break. Maier got a weak liberation from the ferryman 30 meters from the goal, came into the penalty area via a one-two with Demirovic and finished with a full shot from the right to make it 1-0.
In the midst of the celebration of the lead, Augsburg decimated themselves when Demirovic went after a ball in midfield with a high leg and hit Tom Krauss in the face. Referee Daniel Schlager pulled out the red card. With ten men, the hosts were completely on the defensive and the last half hour was a big defensive spasm.
Bülter penalty makes Schalke cheer
The game was characterized by many fouls and tough duels. So Rexhbecaj and Cedric Brunner banged their heads together. The player from Augsburg suffered a laceration and continued to play with “Turban”. Brunner – already in the game with a mask after breaking his nose – was replaced.
Schalke fought for the equaliser, but initially missed their chances. Simon Terodde, for example, aimed wide of the goal after a Zalazar pass from seven meters (70th). In injury time, however, the enormous effort of the guests was rewarded. Terodde was fouled in the penalty area by Gouweleeuw. Bülter safely converted the lower left to the celebrated and ultimately deserved compensation.
Schalke at home against Leverkusen
On Matchday 26, FC Schalke 04 will host Bayer 04 Leverkusen in their home arena (Saturday, April 1st, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Augsburg is challenged at the same time in Wolfsburg.