Schalke back in the Bundesliga: 3:2 against St. Pauli

Created: 05/07/2022, 22:32

FC Schalke 04 will play in the Bundesliga again next season.

© David Indian song / dpa

FC Schalke 04 returns to the Bundesliga.

The leaders of the 2nd division won against FC St. Pauli and can no longer be relegated to a promotion spot on the last day of the game.

Gelsenkirchen – FC Schalke 04 kept their nerves in the second division promotion drama and made the return to the football upper house prematurely perfect.

In the 3: 2 (0: 2) in the top game over FC St. Pauli, the table leaders even defied a 0: 2 deficit at the break and paved the way for a total of fourth promotion to the Bundesliga with a brilliant final sprint.

In front of 61,271 spectators in the sold-out Veltins Arena, Simon Terodde (47th/penalty kick/71st) and Rodrigo Zalazar (78th) scored the hard-fought victory, which was euphorically cheered by their own supporters.

On the other hand, second division autumn champions St. Pauli have said goodbye to the promotion race after the sixth game in a row without a win despite the early double strike by Igor Matanivic (9th / 17th).

With a three point gap to the second HSV and the third Darmstadt and the significantly worse goal difference, there are only theoretical chances.

Werder Bremen can also advance to second place with a win on Sunday in Aue.

In the 81st minute, Hamburg's Marcel Beifus saw a red card after a rude foul, while his teammate Matanovic saw a yellow card in injury time.

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Defeat in Düsseldorf: Darmstadt fails in the promotion race

Faith is back: Schalke is heading towards the Bundesliga

As in the 1: 4 two weeks ago at the same place against Bremen, the great expectations made things difficult for Schalke.

In the presence of the Revierclub legends "Eurofighter", who celebrated their 25th anniversary this weekend after the UEFA Cup triumph in 1997, they were close to a dream start.

Already in the 1st minute, goalscorer Terodde appeared alone in front of the opposing goal after a mistake by defender Beifus, but was denied by guest keeper Dennis Smarsch.

But the “Kiezkicker”, weakened by various corona cases, kept a cool head in the heated stadium atmosphere and immediately took the first chance.

Jackson Irvine heeled a pass from Leart Paqarada to Matanovic, who put the ball ahead with a shot from the turn.

When the only 19-year-old attacker scored again just eight minutes later after another pass from Irvine and a subsequent solo, Schalke was sobered.

Nevertheless, the league leaders showed a positive reaction and - driven by their fans - pressed the Hamburg goal.

Despite all his zeal, he was careless with his opportunities.

Dominick Drexler and Terodde (33rd) missed the possible goal in a questionable manner after a cross from Marius Bülter.

The Schalke fans were beside themselves after the promotion.

© David Indian song / dpa

A penalty whistle from referee Marco Fritz shortly after the restart revived Schalke.

This time Terodde did not miss this chance to score and converted safely.

That was the beginning of another phase of pressure for the hosts.

The guest coverage did not withstand the growing pressure for long.

Terodde was there again and turned the home arena into a madhouse.

Schalke's Simon Terodde certainly converted the penalty.

© David Indian song / dpa

However, Zalazar, who had just come on as a substitute, provided the highlight and final point.

After a pass from Bülter, the joker plucked up courage and perfected Schalke's luck with a powerful shot under the bar.

dpa