In Hannover it already smelt like a draw, because superior Schalker had simply shown too little efficiency. But then defender Kaminski emerged as the hero.
96 coach Jan Zimmermann had to do without Hult at left back. The Swede had left the final training session early and dropped out. Krajnc came on in his place. It was the only change compared to the 0:0 in Nuremberg before the international break.
Schalke coach Dimitrios Grammozis also made one change after the 3-0 win over Ingolstadt: Palsson returned after serving his suspension and replaced Flick on the bench.
Aydin in double misfortune
A touch of Bundesliga atmosphere wafted into the HDI Arena, which was well filled with around 40,000 spectators. They saw a rather brisk game at the beginning, in which the Schalkers had the better start. They had more possession, seemed more structured with their forced wing play and were in front of 96 keeper Zieler for the first time after twelve minutes.
Aydin, however, lacked the last bit of luck, the 19-year-old only hit the left post – and shortly afterwards he was unlucky again when he injured his left thigh without the help of an opponent and had to be substituted (Ranftl, 18th).
Schalke made the better impression, but Hannover did not seem apathetic at all, rather the Reds lurked on the counterattack and were eager to bridge the midfield quickly after winning the ball – often resorting to the tried and tested means of the long ball, which again did not pose any particular problems for the Schalke defence.
Zieler first strong as an ox, then out injured
It took until the 28th minute before the 96ers raised the pulse in the Schalke camp for the first time: Hinterseer’s too weak overhead kick was not a big problem for S04 goalkeeper Fraisl. Because his Hannover counterpart Zieler was not really tested in this increasingly competitive game, with one exception (Ouwejan, 42nd), the game went into the dressing rooms goalless.
In this match, Schalke’s Terodde had the chance to become the sole record goal scorer in the 2nd division with a goal and to leave 96 club legend Dieter Schatzschneider, of all people, behind him for good. The 33-year-old had flown under the radar in half one, did the same after the restart and will have to wait further for his record.
But that didn’t mean there were no dangerous finishes to be seen: Kaminski (53rd) and Drexler (54th), for example, came close to taking the lead, but both despaired of Zieler. The 96-goalkeeper was unlucky to be injured. He injured his left calf through no fault of his own and had to be substituted for Hansen just under a quarter of an hour before the end. At that point, the score was 22:1 in favour of Schalke.
Schalke strike late – and extend their winless streak
The Schalke side were overwhelmingly superior, but offensively not compelling. It looked like 0:0, but with the last action of the game it was averted: Drexler’s cross from the left was headed into the middle by Palsson, where Kaminski took the ball with his heel and then skilfully struck the ball into the net with his left foot for a deserved 1-0 victory (90.+5).
The Reds must now put the late defeat out of their minds, as the next duel with a promotion candidate is coming up soon. On Sunday, 24 October, the Reds take on Regensburg (13:30). The day before, the Knappen welcome Dynamo Dresden for the top match (8.30 p.m.) – and aim for their fourth win in a row
