Double pack from Sylla: Schalke storms to the top in Hanover

As of: October 17, 2025 9:35 p.m

At least until Sunday, Schalke 04 greets you from the top in the 2nd Bundesliga. In Hanover, an early lead and video evidence helped.

In the top game on matchday 9, FC Schalke 04 won 3-0 (2-0) at Hannover 96 and at least temporarily took over the lead in the 2nd Bundesliga. Attacker Moussa Sylla was the decisive man with a brace (3rd, 14th minute). Substitute Christian Gomis (85th) made the decision.

After falling behind early on, Hannover fought back against defeat and came close to scoring on several occasions. However, Schalke kept a clean sheet at the back and ultimately showed a mature performance. After their fourth win in a row, S04 are now four points ahead of the 96ers in first place. Only SV 07 Elversberg could oust Schalke with a win against Greuther Fürth on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Corner goals conceded annoy Hannover’s Titz

Schalke coach Miron Muslic spoke at the Sportschau microphone of a mature team performance. “Schalke is a team that identifies with a clear idea in all phases and goes for it. We are difficult to play against.” He commented soberly on the jump to the top of the table. “We took another small step forward today – and that’s the most important thing.”

Hannover’s coach Christian Titz was annoyed about the two goals conceded from corners. “We knew that the opponent had quality and had a clear assignment.” Nevertheless, his team did not defend the situations well.

Schalke’s Sylla ends goalless streak

Schalke had provoked and exploited a mistake in Hannover’s build-up play early on. Under pressure from high pressing, Maurice Neubauer made a bad pass. Schalke played straight into the penalty area, where Sylla hit the left corner in a remarkable way. The center forward ended his goal drought that lasted six league games; he last scored in the season opener against Hertha BSC.

Once the knot is broken, the balls suddenly come by themselves. In Sylla’s case, just eleven minutes later, it was a corner extended by Katic that he only had to nod in at the second post.

Two 96 goals out Offside positions

0:2 after 14 minutes – a horror start for the ambitious Hanoverians. After their great start to the season with four wins, they stumbled recently and only won one of the last four games. But against Schalke, Christian Titz’s team showed the right reaction, playing dominantly and dangerously after falling behind.

The 96ers even scored twice before the break, but both Mustapha Bundu and Benjamin Källmann were offside when they scored.

Penalty taken back for Hannover

Referee Martin Petersen also had to look very closely immediately after the break. After a handball from Vitalie Becker, he initially awarded a penalty for Hannover, but was then sent to the screen. There he saw that Becker’s arm had a natural position and hardly increased the body area. Consequently, he reversed the decision.

Hannover initially continued to make every effort to score the next goal. After a shot from Bundu, almost the entire stadium celebrated – but the ball only fidgeted in the side netting. In the last half hour, however, the hosts hardly managed any dangerous shots.

Schalke’s Gomis forgives and scores

Instead, Schalke appeared dangerous in front of Hannover’s goal again. Gomis initially missed a huge chance, but was denied by the perfectly positioned Hanover goalkeeper Nahuel Noll. But Noll had no chance at the subsequent corner; Schalke scored again from an extended corner. This time, Gomis capitalized on Ron Schallenberg’s preparatory work with a diving header – and ensured clear conditions.

Hanover with derby in Braunschweig

Hannover now has to assert itself in the derby against Braunschweig on Sunday afternoon (1:30 p.m.). Schalke welcomes Darmstadt 98 on Friday evening (6.30 p.m.).