The frightening away weakness cost FC Schalke 04 a break in the relegation battle of the 2nd Bundesliga. Coach Karel Geraerts’ team lost 3-0 (0-3) at 1. FC Magdeburg on Saturday evening and suffered their third away defeat in a row. Schalke, in 14th place, is still only four points clear of the relegation zone and has now lost nine of its twelve away games. Thanks to the surprisingly clear success, Magdeburg climbed into secure midfield.
Silas Gnaka (17th minute) opened the Magdeburg goal festival of the first half in front of 27,038 fans. Mohammed El Hankouri (34th) added a penalty with a penalty and in stoppage time Tatsuya Ito (45th+2) went one better after a great individual effort.
“I’m at a loss for words, I’m really fed up. It’s a constant up and down. We lose the duels, just react, don’t act,” said Schalke’s Paul Seguin on Sky: “We didn’t have the courage to defend forward – and then it gets difficult.”
“We can’t do it away from home, but of course we always have big plans,” said Seguin and added to the fans who were traveling with us: “I’m just sorry about the shit we play there week after week. I’m really depressed. We, the players, are to blame, no one else.”
Geraerts reacts drastically
On the newly laid pitch, the FCM dominated the game from kick-off. In the first half, Schalke only had 26 percent possession of the ball and the Knappen were unable to get a shot on goal. In defense we were always vulnerable from the outside. Baris Atik was completely alone on the right wing before taking the lead before he fed Gnaka.
When Ito went down on the other side in a duel with Cédric Brunner in the penalty area, referee Christian Dingert initially allowed play to continue. However, the video evidence revealed that Brunner’s hand hit Ito in the face – penalty. The duo were also in focus for the third goal when the completely overwhelmed Brunner had to let Ito run and the Japanese hit the short corner from a tight angle.
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Geraerts reacted drastically and made four changes, including bringing on second division record scorer Simon Terodde. In the 58th minute, Kenan Karaman fired Schalke’s first shot on goal. Karaman (72′) and substitute Bryan Lasme (75′) missed Schalke’s only big chances, while Magdeburg routinely brought the game to a close.