Frank Kramer at Schalke 04 before the end: high bankruptcy against TSG Hoffenheim

Penalty brace Skov

After the next setback at FC Schalke 04, coach Frank Kramer is unlikely to be tenable. After a long, committed but unlucky performance, the newly promoted Bundesliga team conceded their fourth defeat in a row in a 0:3 (0:2) against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday evening. The sports management had previously demanded a reaction from the team, which was done in a fighting manner – but again no points were scored. Instead, the Kramer team had a lot of bad luck with two post hits and two justified penalties for Hoffenheim, which were only awarded after the video referee intervened.

Robert Skov converted both penalties safely (11th minute/59th), and Munas Dabbur (45th + 2) also scored shortly before the break during a Schalke urge phase after a counterattack. As a result, the team of former Schalke coach André Breitenreiter moved up to third place in the Champions League for at least one day. After the tenth match day, however, Schalke will definitely fall back to a direct relegation zone, since VfB Stuttgart and VfL Bochum, who are currently behind them, are playing against each other and the Swabians have the better goal difference.

It was still unclear at the end of the game whether Kramer would be back on the Schalke bench again for the renewed duel between the two clubs in the DFB Cup in Sinsheim on Tuesday. After the third Hoffenheim goal, some fans shouted “Kramer out” like the last time it was 4-0 at Bayer Leverkusen.

Hoffenheim had to do without their top striker Andrej Kramaric for a short time, who was unable to play after being hit on his ankle. At Schalke, Kramer changed his starting XI three times, but he apparently refrained from making a tactical switch from a four-man to a three-man defense. Because as the game went on, the defensive tactics became quite wild, the idea was not exactly recognizable.

Kramer’s worries increased immediately after the kick-off, Schalke helped to make it 0-1: In the crowded penalty area, Leo Greiml came too late in the fight for the ball against Christoph Baumgartner, the Austrian central defender kicked his compatriot in the shin. According to the images on the video monitor, referee Florian Badstübner had no choice but to point to the point. Skov converted safely.

The Royal Blues didn’t give up, which the fans rewarded with loud cheers. The effort was right, the “miners” fought for scoring chances. When Florent Mollet and Thomas Ouwejan had a double chance after half an hour, the post and then guest goalkeeper Oliver Baumann prevented the deserved equalizer.

In defense, however, Schalke again revealed large gaps in counterattacks, but Kramaric substitute Georginio Rutter did not accept the invitation to make it 2-0 (23rd). Dabbur did better just before half-time with a remarkable flick. Schalke, who missed a chance up front through Simon Terodde, were literally overrun again in a counterattack.

Kramer reacted and brought home-grown Mehmet Aydin for Cedric Brunner at half-time – but Schalke were unlucky. Almost immediately after Marius Bülter hit the post (56′), Ouwejan caused a hand penalty, which Skov used for a preliminary decision. After that, the guests let the ball and opponents skilfully run.

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