2nd league
Gelsenkirchen (dpa) – The championship lead is lost, but the belief in the resurgence is unbroken.
With all the frustration about the bitter 1: 4 (0: 2) lesson in the top game against Werder Bremen, the Schalke pros stood arm in arm in front of the mighty fans and were consoled by minutes of chanting from the supporters. Nevertheless, Mike Büskens made no secret of his disappointment at the first defeat after five wins in a row.
“In the last few weeks we thought we could walk on water. But now we have to accept this defeat,” said the Schalke interim coach, commenting on the first setback for the Revierclub since taking office at the beginning of March.
Instead of Schalke, Werder Bremen is now the first aspirant for promotion in the last three match days. Thanks to an impressive performance and goals from Ilia Gruev (9th minute), Niclas Füllkrug (26th) and Marvin Ducksch (51st/53rd), the North Germans, who are now one point better, passed the previous leader.
Ducksch and coach Werner euphoric
“It was a perfect day for us. We played a perfect game,” enthused Ducksch, who scored twice on Sky. The Werder fans, who celebrated their team long and passionately after the final whistle, were no less enthusiastic.
Coach Ole Werner was just as euphoric as Ducksch about the first win after three draws in a row: “It was a very, very good game for my team. In contrast to the last few games, we brought the game back on our side.” Even the major personnel worries in the defense caused the team few problems. “She handled it really well,” said Werner.
Darmstadt 98 slowed down FC St. Pauli in the evening game and advanced to the promotion relegation place. In the chasing duel, the Hessians had the upper hand 2-1 (2-0) in Hamburg and closed the table with 54 points to Werder Bremen (57) and Schalke 04 (56). St. Pauli (53) is only fourth after the fourth winless game in a row. In front of 29,546 spectators in the sold-out Millerntor Stadium, Luca Pfeiffer (9th) and Fabian Holland (35th) scored for the 98ers, who after their defeats against Nuremberg (1:3) and Schalke (2:5) once again scored top -Could win matches. Lukas Daschner’s connection goal (81st) came too late.
Schalke sports director: “It hurts”
For Schalke it will depend on how they cope with this sensitive setback. Ironically, at the top game in the Veltins Arena, which was actually intended as a celebration, and which was sold out for the first time in over two years with 62,271 spectators, the most recent run came to an abrupt end despite Simon Terodde’s consolation goal (88th).
“It hurts. We’ve been happy for five games now, today it didn’t go well,” complained sports director Rouven Schröder, but swore everyone involved to a passionate final spurt of the season: “We have to assess it correctly. It’s important that the head stays upstairs.” He referred to the chanting of the fans despite the defeat: “The club is so close together, it’s nice to see it and it gives me so much passion.”
HSV keeps a small chance
With five points behind FC Schalke, Hamburger SV only has a theoretical chance of a direct promotion. After all, the former Bundesliga Dino can still hope after the 4: 2 at Jahn Regensburg. The goals for the deserved victory were scored by Miro Muheim (23′), Anssi Suhonen (66′), Josha Vagnoman (90′) and David Kinsombi (90′ + 4 / penalty kick).
Holstein Kiel had to settle for a 1-1 draw against 1. FC Heidenheim and have not yet officially secured their place in the league. A decision in the relegation battle was made on Friday evening. FC Ingolstadt 04 is the first to be relegated after the 2-2 draw at Karlsruher SC.