Ito puts the lid on it
©IMAGO
The frightening away weakness cost FC Schalke 04 a break in the relegation battle from the 2nd Bundesliga. Coach Karel Geraerts’ team lost 3-0 (0-3) at 1. FC Magdeburg on Saturday evening and suffered their third consecutive away defeat. Schalke, 14th, is still just four points clear of the relegation zone and has now lost nine of its twelve away matches. Thanks to this surprisingly clear success, Magdeburg moved into the secure midfield.
Silas Gnaka (17th minute) opened Magdeburg’s goal festival in the first half in front of 27,038 fans. Mohammed El Hankouri (34th) added a penalty from the penalty spot and in stoppage time Tatsuya Ito (45th+2) did better after a good individual effort.
On the newly constructed pitch, FCM dominated the match from the kick-off. In the first half, Schalke had only 26 percent possession of the ball and the Knappen failed to get a shot on goal. In defense, we have always been vulnerable from the outside. Baris Atik was completely alone on the right wing before taking the lead before feeding Gnaka.
When Ito fell to the other side during a duel with Cédric Brunner in the penalty area, referee Christian Dingert initially allowed play to continue. However, video evidence revealed that Ito’s hand Brunner hit Ito in the face – penalty. The duo were also focused on the third goal when Brunner, completely overwhelmed, had to let Ito run and the Japanese hit the short corner from a tight angle.
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Geraerts reacted drastically and made four changes, including bringing in second division top scorer Simon Terodde. In the 58th minute, Kenan Karaman took Schalke’s first shot on goal. Karaman (72nd) and substitute Bryan Lasme (75th) missed Schalke’s only big chances, while Magdeburg systematically closed the match.
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