Lost a lead twice
Schalke 04 can’t bring home the victory again
December 15, 2023, 8:26 p.m
With a win against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, FC Schalke 04 could jump into the midfield of the league. For a long time it looks like the third success in a row, but then everything goes wrong again. With only ten men in the end, they secured at least one point.
Schalke 04 missed the conciliatory end to a disappointing year with Bundesliga relegation and a false start to the second division. Despite leading twice against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, the Royal Blues had to settle for a 2-2 (1-0) score at the end of the first half of the season and remain close to the relegation zone. The Franconians, who remained unbeaten for the seventh time in a row, climbed to third place.
With his first professional goal, Keke Topp gave Schalke the lead for the first time (30th). The 19-year-old was only brought into the starting line-up after striker Bryan Lasme was injured – for only the second time in his career. Branimir Hrgota equalized shortly after the break (50th). After Kenan Karaman’s header to make it 2-1 (74th), Simon Asta (77th) saved the guests a point. The Gelsenkirchen team had to survive the final phase outnumbered after Derry Murkin received a yellow-red card for repeated foul play (80′).
Schalke fans do not take part in protests
Topp had Schalke’s first chance in the seventh minute when he was denied by goalkeeper Jonas Urbig from close range (7′). His goal was preceded by a long pass from Blendi Idrizi, who, like Topp, only came into play under new coach Karel Geraerts.
Second division record scorer Simon Terodde missed the big chance to make it 2-0 when he shot over the crossbar completely free from the penalty spot (43′). Just two minutes later, Tobias Mohr was denied by Urbig. After the break, Fürth dominated: First Armindo Sieb hit the post (47th), then Hrgota equalized. When the score was 2-2, Mohr didn’t knock the ball away but left it to Asta.
The Schalke fans cheered on their team from the first minute. The royal blue appendix decided against the announced twelve-minute boycott in protest against the controversial investor deal. Your club had voted for a financier to come in – because it expected the TV money to be distributed differently.