Schalke 04 before the last battle: relegation in the hands of the players!
Schalke 04 before the last battle: relegation in the hands of the players!
Schalke 04 is about a decisive game in the 2nd Bundesliga. On May 11, 2025, the association hopes to reach the 40-point brand to secure the relegation. The upcoming match against Fortuna Düsseldorf could play a crucial role here, because Düsseldorf also fights for preservation in the league.
Michael Bacher was set as a referee for the game. The 34-year-old has already managed 15 games this season and whistles the Fortuna for the fourth time. One can report on his previous missions with Schalke that our team achieved victories in three encounters, both in the league and in the cup. However, the referee decisions could be put to the test by the video assistant (VAR). Nicolas Winter, who has made controversial decisions against Schalke in the past, will take on this role. The fans already expressed their concerns about its availability as a VAR, especially after a controversy for Schalke in a game against Nuremberg, where a crucial yellow-red card caused anger that led to a defeat.
changes in the starting eleven from Schalke
Jakob Fimpel, who took over the team after the release of Kees van Wonderen, relied on a changed list. Five players were exchanged for SC Paderborn 07 compared to the last 0: 2 loss. Returnee Kenan Karaman and Derry John Murkin were appointed to the starting eleven due to prior locking, while others, like Emil Højlund and Anton Donkor, took a seat on the bench. In addition, Janik Bachmann and Tomas Kalas were missing in the contingent due to injury, and Paul Seguin had to struggle with calf problems.
In the first half, the duels dominated, but real chances remained in short supply. Myron van Brederode scored a supposed goal, but was not given because of offside. Shortly afterwards, Moussa Sylla missed the chance to put Schalke in the lead. Justin Heekeren, keeper from Düsseldorf, was able to parry a shot from Nicolas Gavory. In the added time of the first half, both teams increased, but it remained goalless.
Düsseldorf's goals and Schalke challenges
The second half started for Schalke unhappily. Dawid Kownacki put Düsseldorf in the lead in the 57th minute after a corner. With increasing pressure, Fimpel tried to revitalize the offensive by bringing Pape Meïssa Ba and Mehmet Can Aydin. The Düsseldorfers managed to expand the lead in the 78th minute through another goal by Myron van Brederode. Danny Schmidt later awarded the opportunity to 3-0, while Emil Højlund had the last chance for Schalke in the final phase, but slept past the short post.
Schalke has not yet secured the class, but comes with a 14 -goal goal difference and three points ahead of Braunschweig. A high victory of Braunschweig and a clear defeat by Schalke could bring the team into a precarious relegation situation.
In this critical phase of the season, a clear performance and possibly also fair decisions by referees and Var, which have already provided a lot of discussion in the current season of the Bundesliga and 2nd league. According to the DFB referee boss Lutz Michael Fröhlich, there were a total of 99 correct VAR interventions in the 2nd league, which led to 95 correct decisions. The fairness of this technology continues to be questioned, especially in the context of the upcoming games, which can suddenly be decisive for the course of the season.
The upcoming challenges not only bring sporting tensions with them, but also the responsibility to strengthen the trust of fans in the impartiality of the decisions.
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