Analysis: Not compelling enough

The goal conceded in the 9th minute: Even before kickoff on Friday evening, FC Schalke 04 had a reputation as the „league’s lightning starter,“ and unfortunately, the Royal Blues lived up to this in their duel with the Lilies. Moussa Sylla’s goal in the 9th minute was the eighth goal Schalke 04 had scored in the first 25 minutes of this season. And it followed a pattern that Florian Kohfeldt had already discussed before the party: winning the ball, playing directly into the back, finishing. „A typical Schalke goal,“ Kohfeldt called it after the final whistle on SKY, and his counterpart Miron Muslic also spoke of a goal that was in keeping with their own „principles“ at the post-match press conference. Kohfeldt was justifiably annoyed that the goal conceded „came from our own goal kick.“ Especially since this goal ultimately made the decisive difference and could have been prevented in the first place. Kohfeldt: „A game with few top chances. Schalke had the two best chances, and they took advantage of one of them.“

Accordingly, the goal of the day is unfortunately also the „scene of the match.“

Diagonal balls behind the backline. Given that the Lilies didn’t create a single compelling opportunity in 102 minutes, this point might seem odd at first. But especially in the first half, SV 98 repeatedly managed to get behind Schalke’s wing positions and, particularly through Luca Marseiler, recorded a few breakthroughs to the byline. „Darmstadt played the diagonal balls well; we let them through too easily,“ said Miron Muslic, reflecting on these moves, which, however, lacked the final touch. „We did get behind the defensive line, but we lacked the final precision there,“ explained Kohfeldt, who, however, criticised the fact that his team sometimes relied too heavily on this type of build-up play and neglected moving the ball forward through the middle. Nevertheless, when the Lilies posed a threat, this type of shifting of play was largely the key.

Substitutions: In the 63rd minute, Kohfeldt made a triple substitution, bringing on Merveille Papela, Matthias Bader, and Paul Will. In the 81st minute, the Lilies head coach then added Fabian Holland and Fynn Lakenmacher. All substitutes played a part in the Lilies increasingly taking control of the game from the 75th minute onwards and trying everything to score the equaliser. Although there were no 100% chances to score during this phase either. „The boys brought good energy,“ Kohfeldt summarised, singling out Paul Will in particular: „Paul played a good game. The fact that he was back on the football pitch after 14 months is a very pleasing story for us. It was a great day for him despite the defeat.“

We’ll include Paul Will’s comeback as another point in this section and congratulate our number 28 on his return to the pitch.

Lack of goal threat. After the final whistle, no one beat around the bush. „We didn’t have any clear chances,“ summed up Marcel Schuhen. „We didn’t create anything compelling,“ Kohfeldt concluded. While Matej Maglica saw „good opportunities,“ he criticised the „lack of composure“ to better exploit the open spaces. In short: The Lilies were simply too inoffensive offensively to really unsettle the in-form and defensively strong Schalke. While the South Hesse side were stable for long stretches, the hosts managed to pose real threats in at least two situations. „Both teams are strong defensively. Unfortunately, the first goal often decides the game, and that was the case today,“ Schuhen summarised what all stadium visitors had witnessed on Friday evening. Although SV 98 shoveled one ball after another into the Royal Blues‘ penalty area, especially in the hectic final phase, with the exception of a „half-chance“ (Kohfeldt’s own words) by Maglica, Loris Karius never really found himself in trouble. „We weren’t good enough offensively to win this game,“ said Kohfeldt in his honest analysis, which one could only agree with on this evening.

Set pieces. So far this season, the Lilies have been able to pose threats with great regularity through their own set pieces. SV 98 had four corners and numerous free kicks from the halfway line on Friday evening, but unfortunately, they all fizzled out. Against a deep-lying and very well-organised host, a set piece would have offered a good opportunity to threaten the league’s best defense. However, it should also be mentioned that the Royal Blues also performed extremely well in this regard, playing attentively and with focus on all their crosses. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement.

The absence of Isac Lidberg. It was one of the dominant topics leading up to the match. „Fans are terrified! Is the Schalke scare striking again?“ ran the headline „Der Westen“ on Friday, referring to Isac Lidberg, who scored five goals in two matches against Schalke last season. Countless comments on social media also reflected the enormous respect Schalke fans had for the Swedish international, and the direct duel between S04 defender Nikola Katic and the top scorer was eagerly anticipated. But then came the bitter news: On Friday, Lidberg withdrew due to illness; playing the weakened attacker would have made no sense. „Of course, Isac’s absence was a factor,“ admitted Kohfeldt, and Muslic also explained: „When the top scorer is missing, that affects every team.“

But no one at SV 98 wanted to accept that as an excuse. More important is the good chance that the striker could return for Wednesday evening’s cup match. The same applies to Sergio Lopez, who is suspended at Schalke, and Kai Klefisch, whose injury Kohfeldt had already emphasised before Friday evening’s game that while he wouldn’t play all three matches during the busy week, he could be considered for „150, 160“ minutes.

Special situations require special categories. „Looking ahead to Wednesday“ was something that quickly crossed the minds of all the Lilies after the final whistle. „The nice thing is, we’ll see each other again in five days,“ said Kohfeldt at the post-match press conference, and his players were also already eagerly anticipating the reunion in the DFB Cup: „Evening game, cup at the Bölle. I expect our fans to tear it apart. We need everyone,“ said Schuhen, and Maglica added: „A home game, the Bölle will be on fire. I already get goosebumps just thinking about it.“

The Lilies are excited for a special cup evening. And for the reunion with FC Schalke 04.