FC Schalke 04 faced a disappointing defeat on Saturday, October 19, as they lost 1-0 to Hannover 96. The decisive goal came early in the match, with Fabian Kunze scoring in the fourth minute, leaving the Royal Blues without points from this away fixture.
In his inaugural competitive match as head coach, Kees van Wonderen made a notable decision by starting goalkeeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann, as previously announced. Two additional changes from the previous game against Hertha BSC saw Felipe Sanchez and Lino Tempelmann stepping into the lineup, bringing fresh energy to the squad.
Unfortunately, Schalke’s start was far from ideal. Just minutes into the game, Enzo Leopold delivered a well-placed free kick that Kunze converted, placing the hosts in the lead. Hannover exhibited stronger attacking play throughout the first half, while Schalke struggled to generate significant offensive momentum. A notable save by Hoffmann in the 13th minute prevented Hannover from extending their lead after Andreas Voglsammer found himself one-on-one.
As the match progressed, Hannover maintained their offensive pressure. Both Enzo Leopold and Hyun-ju Lee came close to increasing their advantage with deflected shots. Schalke’s best chance came shortly before halftime, but Felipe Sanchez’s attempt from outside the box narrowly missed the target. The first half ended with Hannover leading 1-0, showcasing their superior control and chances.
The Royal Blues attempted to regroup after halftime, with a promising play between Taylan Bulut and Max Grüger, but failed to convert any opportunities. Hannover soon regained their dominance, and while both goalkeepers remained relatively untested for much of the second half, Schalke’s late surge could not yield an equalizer. A disallowed second goal for Hannover due to VAR intervention and a series of missed chances for Schalke ensured that the scoreline remained unchanged.
Looking ahead, Schalke will prepare to host SpVgg Greuther Fürth at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday, October 26. As they aim to bounce back from this defeat, the Royal Blues will be eager to secure points in front of their
home fans.