Karlsruher SC turned the game against second division leaders Schalke 04 late on Saturday afternoon. The winning goal scorer in Karlsruhe’s 2-1 (0-0) win was Fabian Schleusener, who continued his strong series.
Captain Kenan Karaman gave the Royal Blues the lead from the penalty spot (66th minute), Karlsruhe’s Marcel Beifus equalized with a header ten minutes later. Schleusener sealed the deal with his goal in stoppage time (90+3) – and continued his streak with a goal in each of the last five competitive games.
Despite the defeat, Schalke remain leaders for the time being with 24 points. But SC Paderborn can overtake them with a win against Greuther Fürth (Sunday, 1:30 p.m., live in the Sportschau radio report). The Karlsruhe team now has 21 points in sight for promotion.
“It wasn’t a good football game for a long time” said KSC coach Christian Eichner after the game on the sports show microphone. “The balls were more in the air than on the ground. If you then fall behind against this Schalke team, it will be difficult. We then showed great morale.“
Karlsruhe and Schalke neutralize each other for a long time
Compared to the clear cup defeat against Darmstadt (0:4), coach Miron Muslic changed his Schalke team to three positions. Among others, former German international Amin Younes celebrated his season debut. There wasn’t much to see from Younes and the Schalke offensive line at the beginning; the opening minutes were characterized by intense duels and dominant defensive lines.
Little impetus in the first league appearance: Schalke’s Amin Younes (front)
While the Karlsruhe team rarely took risks given Schalke’s successful pressing so far this season, Schalke had more possession of the ball but lacked penetration in the final third. Moussa Sylla tested KSC keeper Hans Christian Bernat with a remarkable but harmless overhead kick (28′). Karlsruhe appeared twice in front of the opponent’s goal from offside positions and developed a small phase of urgency with several decent finishes (35th), but KSC didn’t become compelling for a long time.
Things got really dangerous at the end of the first round – on both sides. First, Karaman broke through on the right and shot towards the near corner in the penalty area, but Bernat parried carefully (39′). In stoppage time, Karlsruhe’s right-back Rafael Pinto Pedrosa undermined the S04 defense with a perfect through ball. Schleusener got through freely, but was denied in a one-on-one by Loris Karius, who reacted strongly, in the Schalke goal.
Penalty gives Schalke the lead
For the inconspicuous Younes, the game was over again after 45 minutes; Muslic brought in Finn Porath at the break for more offensive momentum. The problem: The guests were still barely able to put themselves forward in terms of football against the well-organized Karlsruhe team. Because Schalke were extremely secure, as is so often the case, it remained a rather tough game for the spectators.
And so the way Schalke’s opening goal came about fit in with how the game had gone so far: It wasn’t a goal that was played out, but a penalty that Karaman safely converted to make it 1-0. This was preceded by Marcel Franke, who came on as a substitute at half-time and pushed opponent Nikola Katic to the ground at a corner. Referee Dr. Max Burda decided on a penalty, a decision that was at least harsh and caused vehement protests on the Karlsruhe side.
Schalke take the lead: Karaman and his team celebrate
Beifus equalizes for Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe was by no means shocked by the goal they conceded and immediately became a bit more offensive. Just ten minutes after the score was 0-1, Beifus headed in a sharp corner from David Herold to equalize. Karius got his hands on the ball, but couldn’t do anything.
The game was now open again – and for the first time it became a little more chaotic on the field because both teams now wanted the “threesome”. It went back and forth, spaces opened up, both teams could have rewarded themselves with the late winning goal in promising situations. Substitute Peter Remmert in particular could have shot in from an unmarked shot, but narrowly missed (89′), but in return a Karlsruhe joker, Leon Opitz, also missed a huge chance (90′).
Then came Schleusener’s moment, pushing a long cross over the line from close range. Schalke threw everything forward again, but were unable to equalize.
Karlsruhe in Bielefeld, Schalke against Elversberg
Karlsruhe will be guests at Arminia Bielefeld on matchday 12 on Saturday lunchtime (1 p.m.). Schalke hosts SV Elversberg at the same time (1 p.m.).