Friday 23 July 2021
In front of 19,770 spectators
Hamburg lets Schalke continue to suffer
Furious second division start. For FC Schalke 04 things could hardly go any better. New signing Terodde hits early, substitute goalkeeper Michael Langer saves a penalty. Then the strength dwindles. Hamburger SV takes control. Schalke is not coming back.
The kinked Schalke thanked their proud fans sadly. The traditional club that had crashed received the next blow in the neck in a rousing duel between the second division giants against Hamburger SV, but sold itself dearly with its thrown together team. The Bundesliga relegated player lost his first game in the lower house in more than 30 years to two late goals with 1: 3 (1: 0). Before that, Schalke had given away good opportunities for the winning goal at the season opener.
Moritz Heyer (86.) and Bakery Jatta (90.) gave HSV the perfect start to their fourth season in the second division. Ironically, Schalke’s newcomer Simon Terodde (7th) had achieved the early lead against his ex-club, Hamburg’s Robert Glatzel equalized in the 53rd minute in front of 19,770 spectators. In addition, Schalke’s goalkeeper Michael Langer saved Glatzel’s penalty (28). For the first time since March 2020, more than 300 spectators were again admitted to the Veltins-Arena and ensured atmosphere both before kick-off and during the game.
“It wasn’t nice to chase the quick goal, but this team believes in what they do,” said HSV captain Sebastian Schonlau at Sky. “The opening goal was outstanding. We can score two or three goals at any time.” HSV coach Tim Walter said: “We still have some catching up to do. We were kissed awake with the goal and got better into the game.” Schalke newcomer Dominick Drexler was “very disappointed” with the defeat. “The fact that we lost a game sucks, you just have to put it that way. Nevertheless, I know what it takes to be persistent, the first matchday won’t be decisive.”
Hamburg’s late dominance
After a minute’s silence for the victims of the flood disaster, Schalke immediately took control and had their first good goal opportunity through Terodde in the fifth minute. His shot just missed the goal. But the hosts stayed active and took the lead two minutes later. Terodde lifted the ball after a great pass from striker colleague Marius Bülter worth seeing over Hamburg goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes into the goal.
As a result, the hosts, who played in defense with a chain of three or five, withdrew on the defensive and gave HSV more space in the build-up of the game without allowing great chances. Schalke, who started with eight newcomers, limited themselves to counterattacks such as Bülter in the 36th minute. The only annoyance for the team of coach Dimitrios Grammozis until then: The new captain Danny Latza had to be replaced after half an hour due to an injury.
Striker Glatzel had the only significant chance of a hitherto harmless attacking team from Hamburg in the first round. But Schalke’s substitute goalkeeper Langer saved his penalty.
The Hamburg started better in the second half and came through a hit by Glatzel to equalize. Schalke’s answer did not take long, but left winger Thomas Ouwejan failed freely in front of Heuer Fernandes (55th). As a result, a constant back and forth developed, which was mainly interrupted by substitutions, but without the very clear scoring chances.
On the second matchday, Schalke 04 will play at Holstein Kiel on Sundays, while Hamburg will receive Dynamo Dresden at the same time.
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