FC Schalke 04 II earned a point at SC Paderborn despite several absences in defense.

A last-ditch clearance and three shots off the woodwork! But FC Schalke 04’s reserve team secured a 1-1 (1-1) draw at SC Paderborn II in the rescheduled match of Matchday 19 of the Regionalliga West.

The home side got off to the better start, pressing high and trying to apply pressure. But Schalke also found their way into the game after a slight delay: Both teams battled for control.

Just as the visitors were starting to create their first offensive opportunities, Paderborn took the lead with their first real chance: Pedro Restrepo Naranjo broke through on the right flank, set up Julius Bugenhagen, who finished to make it 1-0 (15′). Just a few minutes later, it was almost 2-0, but Bennit Bröger hit the post.

Due to numerous absences (Mika Khadr, Tim Dietrich, and Max Hauswirth), Schalke showed coordination problems in defense. Paderborn increasingly took control of the game. The equalizer came out of nowhere: Following a free kick, Yassin Ben Balla—who was forced to play center back that day—jumped highest and nodded the ball in to make it 1-1 (29′).
The hosts remained the more active team, but Schalke also hit the woodwork: Peter Remmert struck the post after a corner (43rd minute)—the final play of the first half.

SC Paderborn remained the more active team after the break, while Jakob Fimpel’s squad was visibly struggling to find their footing. Apart from another shot off the post by Noah Ringbeck, set up by the unstoppable Naranjo (47′), and a huge chance by Georg Ermolaev, there were no clear-cut opportunities for the East Westphalians. This was largely thanks to the omnipresent Ben Balla and goalkeeper Luca Podlech.

And an unsportsmanlike conduct! Shortly before the end, as a Paderborn counterattack began, a second ball was thrown onto the field from the direction of the Schalke bench, which was punished with a yellow card. In stoppage time, things got chaotic again in the visitors’ penalty area; after several attempts, the ball was cleared—right to the feet of Marlon Becker, who struck it from 22 meters out. Podlech held onto the ball and secured the point.