FC Schalke ended the first series of the 2nd Bundesliga with success. SV Elversberg could become autumn champions despite the defeat – but this depends on the results of the competition.
The goals for Schalke were scored by Kenan Karaman (11th minute), Moussa Sylla (55th, 75th) and Ron Schallenberg (67th). For coach Kees van Wonderen’s team it was the second win from the last three games. The team thus confirmed its upward trend. Van Wonderen told Sportschau: “We decided the game with individual quality.”
Schalke’s coach was once again able to rely on his top scorers: Karaman (10) and Sylla (11) scored 21 of the Royal Blues’ 32 goals.
The Fall Championship is still possible for Elversberg
It was the fifth defeat of the season for SV Elversberg, who went into this game as league leaders. A goal from Carlo Sickinger was not enough to avert this result. “We played a decent game”said Elversberg’s coach Horst Steffen to the Sportschau. “Maybe we were a little too hectic.”
Although the SVE remains first in the table for the time being (28 points, +9 goals) and can continue to become autumn champions, neither 1. FC Köln (28 points, +8 goals) nor SC Paderborn (28 points, +6 goals) are likely to do so on Sunday ) get a point or win.
First Schalke’s Kahraman shines, then Heekeren misses
Despite the cold, both teams played an entertaining game. While Muhammed Damar missed Elversberg’s first good chance, the guests from Gelsenkirchen made the first statement after eleven minutes. With a remarkable solo through the SVE penalty area, top scorer Karaman gave Schalke an early lead with his tenth goal of the season.
Schalke goalkeeper Justin Heekeren looked unhappy during Elversberg’s equalizer when captain Sickinger’s shot slipped through his gloves and into the goal.
However, Schalke were not impressed by this mishap. They were initially superior after the break before impressively winning the game in their favor with three goals in just 20 minutes. In particular, Moussa Sylla, who had been largely invisible until then, turned up the heat in the second half and gave Schalke a conciliatory end to the first half of the season with his brace together with Schallenberg.
Schalke has to go to Braunschweig
FC Schalke 04 will be visiting Braunschweig on matchday 18 (01/18/25, 1:00 p.m.). Elversberg welcomes Magdeburg (01/19/25, 1:30 p.m.).