remain squires 18.
Bundesliga bottom FC Schalke 04 lost their seventh competitive game in a row against SC Freiburg and are also in deep trouble with their new coach Thomas Reis. The Gelsenkircheners deservedly lost 0:2 (0:1) to the Europa League round of 16 in front of their home crowd at the end of a turbulent week. Vincenzo Grifo (45+1 minute/61st penalty kick) scored the goals for a superior and sovereign Freiburger in front of 61,115 fans at Schalke on Sunday. The hosts struggled, were offensive but completely harmless. Freiburg, on the other hand, continues its furious season and is third in the table.
Reis made three changes in his first game as Schalke coach and relied on Sebastian Polter in the center of the attack. Second division record scorer Simon Terodde initially had to go to the bench. Before the commitment of former Bochum coach Reis, the surprising resignation of sports director Rouven Schröder for personal reasons caused a lot of unrest around S04 during the week. However, the fans were not discouraged by this and the precarious sporting situation. They showed an impressive choreography and loudly cheered on their team.
At the beginning, this only had a limited effect on the Schalke footballers. Although the effort was right, initially only Freiburg played forward. The guests trained by Christian Streich had significantly more ball possession and controlled the midfield. However, they did not create the very clear chances at first.
In the 25th minute, Ritsu Doan failed from a promising position to Schalke goalkeeper and ex-Freiburger Alexander Schwolow (25th). Ten minutes later, Kerim Calhanoglu, who had just come on for the injured Thomas Ouwejan, had Schalke’s first opportunity. However, his shot flew just over the Freiburg goal.
The entertainment value of the game was very limited and there were many indications that the score would be 0-0 at half-time. A precise flick from Grifo put Freiburg in the lead in injury time in the first half. It was the noble technician’s fifth Bundesliga goal of the season. Reis, who coached with dedication and gestures, took a sober sip from the water bottle in the Schalke club sweater.
Shortly after the change of sides, the 49-year-old experienced the next moment of shock. After a less than optimal Schwolow defense, Woo-yeong Jeong had a big chance to make it 0:2, but didn’t hit the ball properly in front of the almost empty goal (53′). Eight minutes later, Grifo did better. Referee Christian Dingert awarded a penalty after watching a video of Calhanoglu fouling Jeong. Grifo took the opportunity for his next goal.
Nkunku draws level with Füllkrug: The top scorers in the Bundesliga
The game was thus decided. Freiburg controlled the game like a top team. More than one chance for Tom Krauss, which SCF goalkeeper Mark Flekken parried, and a shot by Tobias Mohr, which flew wide of the goal, didn’t jump out for Schalke.
To home page