The final international break of 2024 is complete, which means Schalke are back in action.
As Schalke travel to the north of Germany and visit Hamburg.
Schalke coming off their win last time out against Regensburg and Hamburg losing to Braunschweig.
It is a cold rainy night in the 2.Bundesliga top match of the week.
The match started with a great start both teams came out looking to score early with some great action in the opening five minutes, some attempts at goal but no real threats.
The first big moment will come in the 28th and 29th minute.
Kaminski going for the ball, fouls Miro Muheim just outside the penalty area, resulting in a free kick for the home side.
Marco Richter takes the ball and sets up his shot. As he goes to take the shot he sends a rocket over the wall and to left of it and the ball goes into the top corner. A mistake by Heekeren doesn't help as his first reaction is he moves to the wrong side then quickly tries to change direction but he is too late and the ball is in the back of the net.
HAMBURG 1 - SCHALKE 0
As Schalke kick off after the goal, the ball is played back to keeper Heekeren, he then passes it to his right and Schallenberg, then Schallenberg goes to play it back to Heekeren but his weak pass is intercepted by Königsdörffer who is full on sprinting towards the Schalke keeper and is then able to win the ball off Heekeren and he takes the one step and places the ball into the back of the net with ease.
HAMBURG 2 - SCHALKE 0
Schalke are absolutely stunned going two goals down by the 30th minute after a great competitive start.
Easy to see Schalke is still in shock and another chance at the 34th minute when Selke receives a cross within 6 yards but the ball goes to the right of goal.
Schalke looks to get back in the match before the break and Sylla has a good chance from a low cross across the box, as Sylla slides he just misses the ball, but if he made contact it is a goal.
HALF TIME:
HAMBURG 2 - SCHALKE 0
Schalke have had now 5 goals against them that are from individual mistakes
This is the highest in the league
Hamburg sit with seven shots on goal to Schalke with just one shot on target.
Right from kick off Hamburg again charge at goal and Richter has a big shot blocked and out for a corner.
Schalke are slowly building up their attack and in the 55th minute, Younes gets a chance from distance but the ball is just wide of the post.
The build up to Schalke's attack finally pays off and in the 57th minute, the ball delivered into the box is headed away and bounces off a Hamburg player and right to Younes who is all alone to the right of goal and puts the ball into the back of the net for his first goal in a Schalke kit, as he grabs the ball from the back of the net and runs it down and places it on the kickoff spot. To get the match back underway quickly.
HAMBURG 2 - SCHALKE 1
Despite Hamburg dominating the match so far Schalke for the first time have made the hosts look nervous.
In the 63rd minute, Schalke fans went into a frenzy of excitement as we thought the comeback was complete, off the corner kick Sylla receives the ball and scores..... but unfortunately it is called for offside and the celebrations are perhaps on hold.
In a classic a tale of two halves Schalke have now just taken over this match and keep applying pressure at goal and feels Hamburg have just gone into defensive mode.
In the 67th. Murkin goes for glory from a long shot and his ball is just wide of the post, Schalke with all the confidence now.
A break by Hamburg and Richter, who also has six of Hamburg's twelve shots on goal, gets another great chance and his shot goes just off the top right corner.
At the 72nd minute the most dangerous Hamburg player Richter is subbed out.
The Schalke attack continues and at the 74th minute the Schalke captain Kenan Karaman sees a Bachmann plays a low cross into the middle of the box and Karaman sticks out his foot and from six yards out, the comeback is now official and Schalke comeback from two goals down on the road.
HAMBURG 2 - SCHALKE 2
Schalke continue to push and the feeling is can Schalke come all the way back and stun the home side, it all comes to the 78th minute and a huge 3 points on the foot of Karaman.
Bachmann again plays the ball to Karaman who dribbles the ball into the box and with time and no pressure on him he takes his shot and it goes wide of the net. It was a the perfect set up for Karaman and the moment perhaps gets the better of him on the glorious chance that we have seen him but the ball in the back of the net with chances like these. So close for Schalke who are still fighting in the relegation area.
Hamburg go for another good chance at goal and it is Heekeren who makes a big save to keep at least one point in Schalke's pocket.
With that the referee blows the whistle and Schalke absolutely steal a point in Hamburg.
FULL TIME:
HAMBURG 2 - SCHALKE 2
With that Hamburg now looking at five straight matches without a win and Schalke are now unbeaten in three straight matches.
Also of note Schalke's goalkeeping coach receives a red card for throwing the ball onto the field instead of passing it to the Hamburg player on a throw in.
Hamburg have never dropped points in the 2.Bundesliga at home while two goals up on their opponent. Schalke have now broken that record.
Reports are also out that at the halftime Schalke captain Karaman gave a speech in the room to motivate the players, and the results showed.
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