Match report
19.04.25
HSV play out dramatic 2-2 draw with Schalke
In a lively encounter away at FC Schalke 04, the Rothosen fell behind despite the hosts going down to 10 men early on, only for Sahiti’s brace to turn the game around. Sylla though netted a late equaliser for the Royal Blues.
On Saturday, 19th April, Hamburger SV drew 2-2 away at FC Schalke 04 on Matchday 30 of the 2. Bundesliga. It was an eventful start to the match in front of 62,077 spectators at a sold-out Veltins-Arena. The Rothosen played with an extra man from very early on after Karaman’s red card, but fell behind to a goal from Schallenberg (15’). HSV however turned it around before half time thanks to a double from Sahiti (41’, 43’). The Rothosen were in control for long periods of the second half, but were unable to find that third goal. The hosts battled hard and had the final say in the match when Sylla struck a late equaliser to earn his side a 2-2 draw (81’).
A dramatic first half …
Head coach Polzin made five changes to his starting eleven from the 4-2 defeat to Eintracht Braunschweig last time out. Hadzikadunic, Pherai, Meffert, Reis and Königsdörffer came in for Schonlau, Karabec, Poreba, Richter and Selke. The first big moment of the game came after just 90 seconds. S04 captain Karaman challenged Meffert in the centre circle with his studs showing, and caught the HSV player on the ankle. Referee Osmers initially blew only for a foul, but eventually showed the Schalke man a red card after viewing VAR footage of the incident. HSV now already had an extra man after three minutes, though it was S04 who had the first big chance of the game. After a quick counterattack, Sylla’s low shot towards the bottom corner from around five yards out was saved brilliantly with the feet by Heuer Fernandes. Not long after however, the Rothosen ‘keeper was left with no chance. Mohr lifted a free kick onto the head of Schallenberg, and he nodded home the opener from close range (15’). This brought to an end a breathless first quarter of an hour, and a fiery one which saw one red and three yellow cards shown.
HSV then tried to take control, and in some periods had almost 80 percent possession, but struggled to find any gaps in the Royal Blues’ stubborn defence. The home side also continued to threaten from set pieces. On the 30-minute mark, Murkin’s header from a corner almost made it 2-0. This was Schalke’s sixth effort on goal already. Reis immediately looked to hit back after a superb piece of individual skill, but he also fired wide of the goal. The HSV captain’s effort did however spark the league’s best attack into life, and they pushed forward more and more. After Königsdörffer was twice denied by Heekeren from a header and a long-range shot, right-winger Sahiti bagged a brace to turn the game around in the space of 117 seconds. The Kosovo international firstly headed in Dompe’s cross at the far post, before he finished off a lightning-fast counterattack after being played in by Königsdörffer. From 1-0 down, HSV were now 2-1 ahead!
… and a late equaliser
Both coaches responded to that first half by making substitutions at the break. Kalas replaced the injured Grüger for the hosts, while HSV brought on Glatzel and Karabec for Hefti and Pherai, both of whom were on yellow cards. The Rothosen continued to dominate proceedings despite these changes. Firstly Reis, then Königsdörffer, and then Karabec all tested Heekeren within just a few minutes. At around the hour mark, HSV speedster Dompe was inches away from netting his side’s third goal of the day with a strike from the edge of the box. Karabec had another opportunity soon after. The Czech’s low shot towards the far corner from the right side of the penalty area was saved by the feet of Heekeren.
The Rothosen controlled the first half of the second period, but still could not find that third goal. Schalke, who had hardly been in the game for long periods, again began to pose a danger from set pieces. Around the 75th minute, two different corners caused havoc in the HSV penalty area, and this brought the home crowd back to life. They were able to celebrate after the final twist of the match six minutes later, when Sylla headed into the far corner to make it 2-2. Head coach Polzin reacted with a double change, sending on fresh legs in attack in the shape of Selke and Balde, who replaced Sahiti and Königsdörffer. At the start of the six minutes of injury time, he went all-in by bringing on Stange for Mikelbrencis. The Rothosen, who had another chance through Elfadli, could not make it 3-2 though, and the match against the Royal Blues ended with the exact same result as the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Match stats:
FC Schalke 04: Heekeren - Bulut, Schallenberg, M. Kaminski, Murkin - Grüger (46’ Kalas), Seguin (60’ Bachmann), Aydin (60’ Gantenbein), Karaman, T. Mohr (84’ Donkor) - Sylla (83’ Höjlund)
Hamburger SV: Heuer Fernandes - Mikelbrencis (90+1’ Stange), Hadzikadunic, Elfadli, Hefti (46’ Karabec) - Meffert - Reis, Pherai (46’ Glatzel) - Sahiti (83’ Balde), Königsdörffer (82’ Selke), Dompe
Goals: 1-0 Schallenberg (15’), 1-1 Sahiti (41’), 1-2 Sahiti (43’), 2-2 Sylla (81’)
Attendance: 62,077 (sold-out)
Referee: Harm Osmers (Hanover)
Yellow cards: Seguin, Sylla, Heekeren / Pherai, Hefti, Hadzikadunic
Red cards: Karaman /