Schalke 04 pick up a point at Hannover 96, but Schalke are annoyed to concede a late goal on Assan Ouedraogo’s comeback to the starting eleven.

FC Schalke 04 looked like certain winners in the 80th minute, playing down the minutes at promotion candidates Hannover 96 in a relaxed, almost confident manner, and were very close to three important points, even to a liberating blow in the relegation battle. But after Assan Ouedraogo’s opening goal (16′), Paul Seguin scored a bitter own goal (81′) and in the end Schalke could be glad to have saved the 1:1 (1:0) over time.

At least there was a partial victory for the 15,000 fans in the stands. What they did in the stands was remarkable from the very first minute of the game. Although their team had lost four away games in a row miserably and were last in the away table, they not only put on a great choreography. They created a home match atmosphere in the stadium, which was sold out with a total of 49,000 spectators – a first league-ready backdrop.

And Schalke’s Paul Seguin gave the starting signal after just a few seconds for a courageous, committed performance by the Royal Blues. Seguin struck the ball centrally on goal from 20 meters out and 96 keeper Ron-Robert Zieler could only let the ball deflect. This time, Schalke took the atmosphere with them, soaked it up and turned it into positive energy. They did not allow themselves to be overwhelmed as they had often done before. And Hannover? The second-best team in the second half of the season hid, only managing two harmless shots on goal in the first half. Hannover were rarely weaker than in the first 45 minutes

However, Schalke did not play too brashly forward, safety first was the royal blue motto, the defenders often kicked the ball forward uncontrollably, which did not turn the game into an offensive spectacle. But S04 did create two great chances – and what chances they were. In the 16th minute, Assan Ouédraogo grabbed the ball on his comeback after a long injury lay-off, outpaced two opponents, penetrated the penalty area and beat Zieler with a low shot – what a goal from the 17-year-old to make it 1-0 for Schalke. They had hoped that their top talent would become the difference-maker in the relegation battle. And that’s exactly what he showed.

Ouedraogo was also involved in Schalke’s second chance in the 25th minute. His pass into the penalty area slipped luckily through a few defenders’ legs at the feet of captain Simon Terodde, who appeared free in front of goalkeeper Zieler, but was so taken aback by the sudden chance that he shot at Zieler. That should have been Schalke’s second goal. But even the 1:0 lead at the break was celebrated exuberantly by the fans

However, the break did Schalke no good. They played far too passively from the very first second of the second half, with their only contact with the ball being clearances into nothing. In the first three minutes after the break, Hannover earned three corners and had a constant presence in and around Schalke’s penalty area – the only thing missing was a real power play. As weak as Schalke came out of the break, the defensive chain remained focused and did not allow itself to be taken by surprise. Only a header from Nicolo Tresoldi (49′, went over the goal) upset the 96 fans.

The minutes passed and passed – the Schalke fans became louder and louder. From the 65th minute onwards, S04 played for time, which wasn’t pretty – but beauty is never the name of the game in a relegation battle. Especially as Hannover’s previously praised offense was not very successful. After Tresoldi’s header, it took almost half an hour before the next goal was scored: Schalke’s Derry Murkin shot the ball just over the goal (78′). Two minutes later, S04 countered again – this time Yusuf Kabadayi, who had replaced the exhausted Ouedraogo, failed to beat Zieler (80′).

The Schalke fans were already getting ready for a victory party, and everything was pointing towards it when, in the 81st minute, 96 striker Cedric Teuchert carried the ball into Schalke’s half of the pitch, surrounded by three Schalke players. Paul Seguin tried to clear, but caught the ball with his toe and deflected it past his own goalkeeper Marius Müller into his own net – 1:1, what a drama.

The momentum now changed, with Hannover now attacking as if the first 80 minutes had never happened. Schalke goalkeeper Marius Müller now took center stage, saving the point with several saves. The biggest was in the 85th minute, when he saved a header from Tresoldi from close range. Schalke trembled, had to endure anxious minutes and were at least able to celebrate a point.