FC Schalke 04 continues to surf the wave of success. After a solid performance in the top game against Darmstadt, the Royal Blues rewarded themselves with their fifth win in a row and catapulted themselves, at least temporarily, to the top of the table. Moussa Sylla was the match winner with his goal to make it 1-0 (9th).
Early goals are a Schalke specialty this season, which the guests from Darmstadt were also able to taste in the top game. Although the lines managed to break away from the Royal Blues’ pressing in the first few minutes of the game, the ball still found its way into the Darmstadt net in the ninth minute.
Katic intercepted a Darmstadt tee shot on the halfway line and directly initiated the counterattack. El-Faouzi turned quickly and saw Moussa Sylla, who was able to run free between Pfeiffer and Vukotic. Sylla netted in the bottom right corner from 13 meters in the middle – hardly a chance for line keeper Schuhen. The goal is one of many this season that Schalke were able to score in the early stages.
Schalke is waiting for a counterattack
It underlines what Schalke are doing so well this season: winning balls, switching quickly and going deep. The fact that the Lilies dominated possession made little difference. Schalke’s defense – currently the second best in German professional football behind Bayern – disrupted the opponent’s build-up game early on and hardly allowed the guests to get a chance. Schalke was waiting for the next chance to counterattack.
They got it in the 28th minute. El-Faouzi won the ball against Marseiler and passed the ball strongly to Sylla as it fell from the touchline. In the sprint he prevailed against two opponents. This time, however, Schuhen had the upper hand: the keeper waited a long time, narrowed the angle and parried the low shot with his left foot.
On the other hand, things only got tricky once. After a risky back pass from Katic, Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius only got to the ball before Bialek. Overall, Darmstadt seemed to have few ideas on how to overcome Schalke’s strong defense. Overall, Schalke presented themselves as more ripped off.
Shortly before half-time, the home team created another chance to score: Sylla – this time providing the assist – crossed from the right into the penalty area, where Karamann slid in the cross – but put the ball over the goal.
A brief moment of shock does not affect Schalke’s dominance
The second half continued seamlessly from the first: Schalke dominance, Darmstadt’s lack of ideas. El Faouzi won the ball again and again and looked for the through ball towards the Darmstadt goal. The Schalke defense was rock solid, the guests seemed at a loss at times. As much pressure as the home team put on, it was a surprise that the score was still 1-0.
Instead, the ball fidgeted in the Schalke net 14 minutes before the final whistle. Papelas passed the ball to Corredor, who beat Karius from 15 meters. But the flag went up immediately: Corredor was clearly offside and was not rewarded for his courageous appearance. Schalke could breathe a sigh of relief.
And in the remaining time – despite a heated 12 minutes of added time – the game could not be taken out of their hands. They underline their impressive form this season. It is the fifth win in a row for the Royal Blues, which at least temporarily catapults them to the top of the table – at least until Saturday when Elversberg meets Bielefeld.
Schalke in Karlsruhe, Darmstadt against Bielefeld
Darmstadt will have the chance for revenge next week: the two teams will meet again in the DFB Cup in Darmstadt. In the league, Schalke will next be guests at Karlsruher SC on Saturday lunchtime (1:00 p.m.). Darmstadt welcomes Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday evening (8.30 p.m.).