Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Crash hits new low
Schalke is finally and officially relegated
It is no longer a sensation, but the logical consequence of the sporting decline. With a defeat at Arminia Bielefeld, FC Schalke 04 are now mathematically relegated from the Bundesliga. Four game days before the end of the season, the Royal Blues are bottom of the table.
As soon as the final whistle sounded, the relegated Schalke had already disappeared into the dressing room: When the inevitable after an unprecedented crash with only two Bundesliga wins in 15 months was determined at 10:22 p.m., the permanent losers only wanted to leave. Only Timo Becker on the bench and the original Schalke Gerald Asamoah wept bitter tears of disappointment.
“I’m not doing well. I can imagine how the Schalke fans are crying in front of the TV,” said Asamoah, who is currently the coordinator of the licensed player department, after the 0-1 (0-0) at Arminia Bielefeld with a fragile voice on Sky : “We knew what to expect. But when you realize that the time has come, it’s tough. We have all disappointed, we all have to question ourselves.”
With the bankruptcy of the newcomers, the Royal Blues sealed the fourth relegation in their club history four rounds before the end of the season. The traditional club, a regular in the European Cup for almost two decades, is saying goodbye to the House of Lords after 30 years – as one of the worst relegated players in league history.
“It hurts even more than expected. Shit,” tweeted Schalke when the descent was certain. Sympathy came from the opponent: “I’m sorry for Schalke. It’s such a big club and they will play the Bundesliga again at some point,” said Bielefeld’s Manuel Prietl on Sky.
Arminia, on the other hand, can continue to hope to stay in the league: After four games in a row without defeat, the lead over the relegation place is four points. However, Hertha BSC has played two games less because of the corona quarantine. As in 1981, 1983 and 1988, Schalke went into the second division – but the relegation had never been determined so early, and the seven-time champions had never suffered 21 defeats this season.
Even before the kick-off it was clear that the Gelsenkirchen team could only delay the inevitable with a win. But the team of coach Dimitrios Grammozis delivered the next disappointing performance in a historically bad season, never looked like a team that had to win.
Captain Fabian Klos ended the Schalke fight for relegation with a long-range shot from 25 meters (50th). The result could have been even clearer, because the East Westphalia gave away several top-class chances and Klos even a penalty (80th). Schalke’s defender Malick Thiaw was shown a yellow-red card for repeated foul play (71.).
Klos’ second hit doesn’t count
Compared to the 4-0 defeat in Freiburg last Saturday, Grammozis surprisingly only changed his starting line-up to two positions. Ironically, Timo Becker and Can Bozdogan from their own offspring had to go on the bench.
The royal blues started out very subdued. The Bielefeld, who regularly score points under their new coach Frank Kramer, went to work much more self-confidently and purposefully. Manuel Prietl failed after a remarkable individual action against Schalke keeper Ralf Fährmann (9th). Then Omar Mascarell blocked a shot from Ritsu Doan (13th) for the already beaten ferryman.
Grammozis showed more commitment than his players, who tried again and again on the sidelines to motivate his team with loud instructions and frequent applause. That was mainly occupied with defensive tasks in their own half. The third good Bielefeld goal chance was missed by Andreas Voglsammer, whose Lupfer just missed the target (29th).
It was only after more than half an hour that captain Sead Kolasinac brought the ball to the Arminia goal for the first time, but without causing any problems for keeper Stefan Ortega (32nd). Fährmann had much more trouble, who blocked a shot from Voglsammer with his knee after a ricochet from Fabian Klos (35th).
Even after the break, the hosts remained the clear game-determining team. The 1-0 was preceded by a completely unnecessary loss of the ball by Omar Mascarell in midfield. Klos failed shortly before the end from the point on Ralf Fährmann, scored in the pursuit, but was offside.
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