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Disappointed Schalke players in blue and white
Photo: IMAGO/RHR-FOTO / IMAGO/RHR-Foto
Frank Kramer was staring into space, isolated shouts of "Kramer out!" could be heard in the stands: After the next setback, the coach at FC Schalke 04 might be unstoppable.
After a long, committed but unlucky performance, the Bundesliga promoted suffered their fourth defeat in a row in a 0:3 (0:2) at home against TSG Hoffenheim on Friday evening.
"Of course there was dead silence" in the cabin, said scorer Simon Terodde at Dazn.
Sports director Rouven Schröder was "simply disappointed" - he didn't want to make a decision about the coaching question immediately after the game: "Nothing is certain.
Frank Kramer is our coach, but we will still analyze the game.«
Schalke's sporting management had previously demanded a reaction from the team, which was done in a fighting manner - but again there were no points.
Instead, the Kramer team had a lot of bad luck with two post hits and two justified penalties for Hoffenheim, which were only awarded after the video referee intervened.
Robert Skov safely converted both penalties (11th minute/59th).
In addition, Munas Dabbur (45 + 2) scored shortly before the break during a Schalke urge phase after a counterattack.
As a result, the team of former Schalke coach André Breitenreiter moved up to third place in the Champions League for at least one day.
"We performed well again and were more effective," said TSG midfielder Grischa Prömel.
Kramer's worries increased immediately after the kick-off, Schalke helped a lot in the 0:1.
In the crowded penalty area, Leo Greiml came too late in the fight for the ball against Christoph Baumgartner, the Austrian central defender kicked his compatriot in the shin.
According to the images on the video monitor, referee Florian Badstübner had no choice but to point to the point.
Skov converted safely.
The post is in the way
The Royal Blues didn't give up, which the fans rewarded with loud cheers.
The effort was right, the miners fought for scoring chances.
When Florent Mollet and Thomas Ouwejan had a double chance after half an hour, first the post and then guest goalkeeper Oliver Baumann prevented the deserved equalizer.
In defense, however, Schalke again revealed large gaps in counterattacks.
Georginio Rutter didn't accept the invitation to make it 2-0 (23').
Dabbur did better just before half-time with a remarkable flick.
Schalke, who missed a chance up front through Simon Terodde, were literally overrun again in a counterattack.
Skov scores twice from the penalty spot
Kramer reacted and brought on Schalke's own Mehmet Aydin for Cedric Brunner at half-time – but Schalke were unlucky.
Almost immediately after Marius Bülter hit the post (56'), Ouwejan caused a hand penalty, which Skov used for a preliminary decision.
After that, the guests let the ball and opponents skilfully run.
After the tenth day of play, however, Schalke will definitely fall back to a direct relegation zone.
It is unclear whether Kramer will sit on the Schalke bench again on Tuesday when the two clubs meet again in the DFB Cup in Sinsheim.
mfu/dpa