1. FC Nürnberg took advantage of the fact that second division champions Schalke 04 apparently still had the Ibiza party trip in their bones – and won in an exceptional atmosphere.
There was a celebratory atmosphere in the Max Morlock Stadium, 1. FC Nürnberg welcomed FC Schalke 04 in the best weather on Saturday evening, the fan camps are close friends with each other. For both teams there was nothing at stake on the penultimate matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga, the “club” was in the middle of the table, Schalke had secured promotion and the championship the previous week.
Nuremberg took advantage of the extraordinary atmosphere with choreographies and mutual applause for a 3-0 (2-0) victory and pushed Karlsruher SC out of eighth place. The goals came from an own goal by Ron Schallenberg (19th minute), Henri Koudossou (45th + 2) and Mohamed Ali Zoma (72nd).
Schalke is taking things easier
It was particularly noticeable for Schalke that they no longer took the matter so seriously. During the week the team celebrated promotion in Ibiza. 15,000 Schalke fans traveled to Nuremberg to celebrate a championship party – regardless of how the game went.
Nuremberg also took longer to get into the game. The lead came after a free-kick cross that Julian Justvan headed back into the middle from the second post. Captain Fabio Gruber finished, Schalke’s Felipe Sanchez blocked, but the ball bounced towards Schallenberg and then into the net, an unfortunate own goal.
Koudossou dupes Müller
Nuremberg’s attacker Zoma then successfully completed two counterattacks, but his goal celebration ended abruptly: both times he started a tad too early and was offside.
Mohamed Ali Zoma concludes.
In stoppage time in the first half, right-back Koudossou escaped the Schalke defense and ran a long pass. Instead of passing into the middle, he shot into the short corner from a tight angle. Because Schalke’s goalkeeper Kevin Müller speculated, he scored to make it 2-0 – a fair result at halftime. Müller stood in goal for regular goalkeeper Loris Karius, who attended the birth of his second child on Saturday.
Karaman misses his chance
The second round started wildly with huge chances on both sides. Nuremberg’s Koudossou shot onto the post, Schalke’s Kenan Karaman shot over from close range. The game was now more open and offered good spring entertainment.
Nuremberg’s coach Miroslav Klose gave veteran Christian Mathenia one more game from the start; the 34-year-old substitute goalkeeper will switch to the role of third goalkeeper next season. He made some strong saves against Schalke.
Zoma rewards himself
Unsurprisingly, both teams stopped pushing the limits as the second half progressed. And Zoma showed that he had learned something new: he sprinted at exactly the right moment and finished precisely over the left inside post. It was the reward we deserved for a strong performance.
Nuremberg in Hanover, Schalke against Braunschweig
At the end of the season on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., Nuremberg will be guests at Hannover 96, Schalke will welcome Eintracht Braunschweig to the championship party.
