Last minute trouble at Hertha BSC
Reeling Schalke take leaders St. Pauli by surprise
March 1, 2024, 8:32 p.m
The top duo in the 2nd Bundesliga experienced a winless Friday evening. League leaders St. Pauli are facing relegation-threatened FC Schalke 04, while Hertha BSC has second-placed Holstein Kiel on the verge of defeat. Until the video assistant intervenes deep into stoppage time.
FC Schalke 04 – FC St. Pauli 3:1 (1:0)
Schalke 04 managed to break free against leaders FC St. Pauli in the relegation battle of the 2nd Bundesliga. Thanks to a brace from Yusuf Kabadayi, the Royal Blues defeated Hamburg 3-1 (1-0) and once again made up for their disastrous away performances with their third home win in a row.
The 20-year-old Kabadayi was the match winner with his goals (44th/73rd). Kenan Karaman (90+2) scored the final score after Elias Saad (89′) had reduced the deficit late on. It is the ninth three-pointer of the season for the Bundesliga relegated team, who celebrated their jump to 13th place in the table – initially seven points clear of the relegation zone. St. Pauli only suffered their second defeat of the season, but are still comfortably on course for promotion.
Schalke coach Karel Geraerts, who had come under massive criticism after three away defeats in a row for his unacceptable performances, turned his team around after the 3-0 debacle in Magdeburg. Five players were dropped from the starting eleven, and the Belgian also returned to the back four and converted the six-man Ron Schallenberg into a central defender. The starting line-up included strikers Simon Terodde, Bryan Lasme and Kabadayi.
St. Pauli’s successful coach Fabian Hürzeler, however, did not change anything about his starting eleven. The well-rehearsed Hamburg team initially dominated the game and had their first chance to score: Connor Metcalfe was denied by Schalke keeper Marius Müller (10th). The Royal Blues fought their way into the game, won five corners before the break – and took the lead: Terodde let a cross from Thomas Ouwejan through, Kabadayi pushed the ball over the line.
After the break, Schalke defended much more disciplined than before. St. Pauli only had their second chance through Metcalfe (58th) after just under an hour. On the other side, Kabadayi scored again: after a shot from Terodde, the Bayern loanee scored. Saad brought Hamburg close again with a deflected shot. Karaman secured Schalke’s victory after a counterattack.
Hertha BSC – Holstein Kiel 2:2 (2:0)
Promotion candidate Holstein Kiel has at least saved an important point after a strong comeback. A week after the 3:4 against leaders FC St. Pauli, second in the table won a 2:2 (0:2) at the last second at Hertha BSC. The Storks’ direct promotion place is still in acute danger, and Hamburger SV could achieve this with a win on Sunday (1.30 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de) take over against VfL Osnabrück.
For the efficient hosts, double packer Haris Tabakovic (17th, 45th) set the course for victory, Finn Porath (81st) and Timo Becker (90th + 8) with a penalty kick according to video evidence only brought their team back in the final phase and secured the point. The Berliners remained unbeaten for the fourth game in a row, and Kiel was just able to avoid their second defeat in a row. With 34 points, Berlin is in eighth place in the table and only has faint hopes of getting involved in the promotion race.
Kiel’s fatal mistake came out of nowhere: midfielder Philipp Sander played the ball right into Tabakovic’s path, the keeper Timon Weiner curved around and pushed in to take the lead. Kiel had more of the game, but the long periods of possession did not produce any dangerous scenes for a long time. Shortly before the break, Tabakovic again had a free shot. At first Weiner held strong, but Kiel’s goalkeeper had no chance in the follow-up shot.
Kiel continued to try to build up pressure, but Berlin defended in a disciplined manner and remained more dangerous. Jonjoe Kenny (59′) hit the crossbar with a free kick from a long distance, and Weiner parried substitute Jeremy Dudziak’s (79′) shot.