TThe FC Schalke 04 players sank to the ground after the final whistle, deeply disappointed. Despite one of his best performances in recent weeks, the bottom of the Bundesliga table failed early in the DFB Cup with a 0: 1 (0: 1) at VfL Wolfsburg. “Today it just annoys me that we didn’t get any further,” said goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann after the knockout round on Sky TV. “We should have just rewarded ourselves.”
While the crisis-plagued guests did not even take advantage of chances from four meters away in the attack, they were unlucky at the decisive moment. The penalty kick, which led to the winning goal by Wout Weghorst in the 40th minute, was only imposed after the video assistant intervened. Referee Felix Zwayer initially overlooked the foul by former Wolfsburg William on Xaver Schlager. Goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann then saved Weghorst’s penalty – the goal-scorer from the Netherlands only hit a margin.
Problems with Huntelaar
The Schalke streak of bad luck had started long before the kick-off that day. It was clear that Shkodran Mustafi, who was only signed by Arsenal on Monday, would be absent from the Volkswagen Arena in view of the quarantine requirements after his move from London. But then the second prominent winter transfer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was canceled due to calf problems as well as the two Suat Serdar and Benito Raman, who were once committed for millions, with colds. Coach Christian Gross should have nominated 20 players for this cup game, he only got 17 together.
Measured against this personnel situation and especially against the frustrating appearances in the Bundesliga for months, Schalke even performed well. Above all, the left side with Sead Kolasinac and Amine Harit caused problems for the Wolfsburgers who were so strong recently. “I don’t even know why we play like that. We don’t even need that, so nervous, ”said midfielder Maximilian Arnold after the final whistle. Goalkeeper Koen Casteels – the match winners with two brilliant saves – stated: “Today we didn’t really have a few percent that we had more in the last games.”
In the 14th minute, VfL defender Paulo Otavio blocked a shot from William just in time after Harit had worked well. The Brazilian was loaned to Schalke by Wolfsburg just a week and a half ago. Shortly after the 1-0 win, Casteels managed the feat of keeping a shot from Matthew Hoppe from just four meters away (45th).
Again nothing brought: FC Schalke to Matija Nastasic loses in Wolfsburg.
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Image: Reuters
The opening goal and compensation awarded in such a short time gave VfL a boost. S04 continued to hold against it, but was more often tied on the defensive in the second half and therefore not dangerous up front for a long time. Only in the 74th minute failed again a Schalke from close range to Casteels – this time it was Mark Uth. Hoppe then shot over the gate from the best position in the 85th minute.
Wolfsburg brought home the win, and Schalke can now concentrate fully on the difficult relegation battle in the league. Huntelaar is supposed to help again there. “We’ll try everything that he is fit against Leipzig on Saturday,” said coach Gross at Sport1.
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