DThe TV camera panned to the Schalke bench and caught Michael Büskens and Rouven Schröder. Büskens, who voluntarily stepped down from the assistant role this season, tapped his lip apathetically with the bones of his fingers. Sports director Schröder scratched his ear. It was obvious that they didn’t feel well. Next to him a head-shaking Gerald Asamoah, who was the team manager for the royal blues. They all knew what the hour had come for their coach Frank Kramer.
The 88th minute was running, and when the photo direction returned to the action, Jacob Bruun Larsen missed the 4-0 win for Schalke opponents Hoffenheim by just an inch. The game was decided, the thing, as it is called not only in the Ruhr area, through – and with that Kramer’s time with the Gelsenkircheners was over.
“Nothing is certain. Frank Kramer is our coach and we will still analyze the game,” said Schröder. “It was clear to us anyway that we would withdraw after the game, watch the game closely and analyze it. It’s about working things through.”
Schalke coach Frank Kramer: Will he get another game? Or two? Or more?
Source: dpa/Bernd Thissen
After a long, dedicated but unlucky performance, the newly promoted Bundesliga team conceded their fourth defeat in a row in a 3-0 (2-0) loss to TSG Hoffenheim. The sports management had previously demanded a reaction from the team, which was done in a fighting manner – but again no points were scored. Instead, the Kramer team had a lot of bad luck with two post hits and two justified penalties for Hoffenheim, which were only awarded after the video referee intervened.
Robert Skov safely converted both penalties (11th minute/59th). In addition, Munas Dabbur (45 + 2) scored shortly before the break during a Schalke urge phase after a counterattack. As a result, the team of former Schalke coach André Breitenreiter moved up to third place in the Champions League for at least one day.
“We put in a good performance again, were more effective and scored three goals this time,” said Grischa Prömel. “But when you see how many chances we had, we have to be more callous in front of goal.”
There is no sign of an idea at Schalke
Schalke, on the other hand, will definitely fall back to a direct relegation zone. After the final whistle, Schalke’s players, coaches and supervisors all disappeared into the dressing room. At the end of the game, it was still unclear whether Kramer would be back on the Schalke bench for another duel between the two clubs in the DFB Cup in Sinsheim on Tuesday. After the third Hoffenheim goal, some fans shouted “Kramer out” like the last time it was 4-0 at Bayer Leverkusen.
“It hurts to stand in front of the fans after a 3-0 loss. But there was support from the north curve. We know it’s a privilege,” said Schalke’s goalscorer Simon Terodde.
Hoffenheim had to do without their top striker Andrej Kramaric for a short time, who was unable to play after being hit on his ankle. At Schalke, the counted Kramer changed his starting eleven three times, but he apparently did without a tactical change from the four to a three-man defense. Because as the game went on, the defensive tactics got pretty wild. The idea wasn’t exactly clear.
“I’m just disappointed. For me personally it was important to have seen a reaction from the team. Everyone is highly motivated and wants to turn things around,” said Schröder and continued: “The reaction of the team was there. Extremely bitter to get a penalty like that in the 10th minute, but at some point a ball has to go in with us. However, the 0:2 must not happen to us. A real blow to the neck before the break. But one thing is clear: Frank is a fighter. And I know that from Frank: he will do everything to ensure that the team and the club are successful again. We’re in a bad phase, no question. But you can never blame Frank for one thing: that he doesn’t give everything.”
Kramer’s worries increased immediately after the kick-off, Schalke helped a lot in the 0:1. In the crowded penalty area, Leo Greiml came too late in the fight for the ball against Christoph Baumgartner, the Austrian central defender kicked his compatriot in the shin. According to the images on the video monitor, referee Florian Badstübner had no choice but to point to the point. Skov converted safely.
Referee Florian Badstübner looks at a scene on a monitor and shortly afterwards decides on a penalty
Source: dpa/Bernd Thissen
The Royal Blues didn’t give up, which the fans rewarded with loud cheers. The effort was right, the miners fought for scoring chances. When Florent Mollet and Thomas Ouwejan had a double chance after half an hour, the post and then guest goalkeeper Oliver Baumann prevented the deserved equalizer.
In defense, however, Schalke again revealed large gaps in counterattacks. Kramaric’s substitute Georginio Rutter didn’t accept the invitation to make it 2-0 (23′). Dabbur did better just before half-time with a remarkable flick. Schalke, who missed a chance up front through Simon Terodde, were literally overrun again in a counterattack.
Kramer reacted and brought on Schalke’s own Mehmet Aydin for Cedric Brunner at half-time – but Schalke were unlucky. Almost immediately after Marius Bülter hit the post (56′), Ouwejan caused a hand penalty, which Skov used for a preliminary decision. After that, the guests let the ball and opponents skilfully run.
