Highlights
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90'
+ 8
Full-time Kaiserslautern 2-1 Schalke
Kaiserslautern win 2-1 against Schalke in new manager Lieberknecht's debut thanks to goals from Yokota and Ache. It means the Red Devils are back in the promotion race and have third place in their sights again. Schalke were improved in the second-half and Sylla brought them level for a time but Ache popped up with a deserved winner in the end.
Full-time
90'
+ 6
Final efforts
Schalke push forward one more time, but Krahl can easily collect a low cross into the six-yard box. The final seconds are ticking away.
90'
+ 5
So much energy
Even in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Ache is still sprinting at full speed to press Heekeren, who as a result can only clear the ball far out of his own half.
90'
+ 4
Time running out
Breithaupt gets caught in the face during a challenge and stays down briefly. Lautern take their time to play this free kick short and low at the halfway line. Then Haas and Alidou go to the corner flag on the left, but promptly lose the ball.
90'
+ 2
Sylla heads over
A long cross sails through the hosts' six-yard box. Sylla is caught off guard, though, and can't react quick enough.
90'
+ 1
Stoppage time
Six minutes of additional time.
90'
+ 1
Ache too hasty
On the right side of the penalty area, Ache aims for the far left corner but shoots way wide of the Schalke goal in a rushed attempt.
90'
Target practice
Ache and Zimmer have the chance to seal the match in the visitors' penalty area, but they each only hit an opponent.
90'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 90 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
87'
Corner party
A couple of corners in succession, the latest is cleared by the head of Heuer. We're entering a tense final phase here.
87'
Substitution
86'
Substitution
82'
Only way to stop them
Murkin can only stop Ache on the right side of the Schalke penalty area with a foul. Ritter delivers the resulting free kick and there's a corner for the home side, who now want to seal the deal at the Betzenberg.
80'
Crazy minutes for Ache
The Red Devils' goalscorer moves up to second place in Bundesliga 2 top scorers list thanks to his 17th goal of the season, and has now already surpassed his best tally from last year by one goal.
79'
Victory in sight
The probability of victory for Lautern is now at 85 percent. Before Ache's goal, it was only 22.2 percent.
79'
Win Probability
Win Probability
This Match Fact documents significant changes in the probability of victory for both teams during the course of the match. The value is based on actual match play and incorporates existing Match Facts such as Expected Goals, Skill and Set-Piece Dange
76'
22.2 %
77'
85 %
79'
Substitution
79'
Substitution
77'
Goooal! This time for real!
Ache is allowed to celebrate this time. After a long ball up the pitch, the striker again has plenty of space in front of him and marches past Kamiński towards the Schalke goal. Ache picks his spot and makes no mistake, putting Lautern back in front.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Shot speed
Shot speed
Shot speed describes the maximum speed in km/h that a ball reaches in a shot on goal. The distance is measured from the location of the shot to the centre of the goal.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
74'
Substitution
73'
Centimetres offside!
Ache scores beautifully for what would have been a 2-1 for Lautern, but he's marginally offside and so the goal is chalked off by VAR. It remains 1-1.
73'
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionNo goal
71'
Substitution
70'
Yokota again!
The Lautern man skilfully gets into the area and fires at Heekeren, who manages to parry the ball away. The offside flag goes up and afterwards Yokota needs treatment. It doesn't look like he will be able to continue.
70'
Substitution
69'
The visitors want more
The goal has given Schalke confidence and the visitors from Gelsenkirchen are now boldly looking to push forward. A through ball to Højlund doesn't reach its target.
66'
Much better from Schalke
The visitors are showing an improved performance in the second half and are significantly more successful in winning the ball back with only 11.1 seconds compared to 17.3s in the first half.
66'
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).
1st Half
2nd Half
64'
Shock for Kaiserslautern
The home side are a bit shocked by that equaliser. Lieberknecht reacts by bringing on two fresh players in Alidou and Haas.
64'
Substitution
64'
Substitution
62'
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
61'
Ping-Pong goal!
Sylla shocks the Lautern fans with his goal to make it 1-1 as the ball bounces around the box before falling to the striker, who finishes from close range. We're back level!
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
60'
Pressure Handling
Pressure Handling
This Match Fact examines how successfully players perform under pressure. The percentage of "solved situations" indicates how often a player has freed himself from opponent pressure by dribbling, passing, scoring a goal or drawing a foul.
67%
%
Frank Ronstadt
12 times under pressure
58'
Clever from Yokota
The scorer of the only goal fools two opponents at the Schalke goal line and wins a corner, dropping to the deck asa result of his tireless efforts so far. But he's soon on his feet, hammering the cleared corner kick towards goal and only narrowly wide.
Open game
© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck
53'
Ache squanders a chance
Now it's back and forth: After Schalke's big chance, Ache gets another shot in front of Heekeren, but blazes the ball well over the crossbar.
51'
Huge chance for the equaliser!
What was that? A long ball to the edge of the box slips through and Krahl is also a bit late. The substitute Højlund nips in between and puts the ball just centimetres wide of the left post of the Lautern goal.
48'
A good omen?
For the 13th time this season, Lautern are 1-0 up - so far this has resulted in 10 wins and two draws. A victory today would reignite the Red Devils' promotion ambitions.
46'
Great chance for 2-0!
It's almost 2-0 right from kick-off! Ache flicks on a ball into Hanslik's path, who shoots fires at Heekeren but is denied by an excellent reflex save from the 24-year-old.
46'
We're back underway!
Lautern kick off the second half.
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2
Half-time: Kaiserslautern 1-0 Schalke
Thanks to Yokota's goal, Kaiserslautern lead 1-0 against Schalke at the break. Redondo and Ache have been particularly dangerous in attack and they played their part in Yokota's goal. Schalke are defensively organised, but their own attacking play needs improvement.
45'
+ 1
Substitution
Half-time
44'
Sylla steps up
The top scorer for Schalke has his first action in the match. The striker controls a high ball against two defenders and immediately fires a right-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball narrowly misses the home side's goal.
42'
Ache again
The Red Devils' striker has another chance to finish. However, his shot is defused by Heekeren, who is in good form today, with a diving save.
39'
Seguin misses
The central midfielder takes aim from the left-centre outside the penalty area, but his effort goes harmlessly wide.
37'
The 700th goal for the Red Devils
Yokota's 1-0 was the 700th goal for Lautern in the second division - will it bring FCK back into the promotion race?
35'
Goooal!
The home side reward themselves for an improvement in performance in the last few minutes. Again it's Redondo, who delivers a high cross from the left, which Ache heads powerfully towards goal. Heekeren makes a sensational save, but Yokota is perfectly positioned to smash the rebound into the back of the net.
Goal probability
Goal probability
Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.
Distance to Goal
Distance to Goal
The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.
34'
Centimetres missing!
Ache breaks through on the right side and tries to chip the ball over the onrushing Heekeren. He manages to do so, but a Schalke toe gets a touch on it and the ball flies narrowly past the left post.
34'
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time
Ball Recovery Time gives the time in seconds in which it takes a team to win back the ball following a loss of possession. It also allows conclusions to be drawn about a team's style of play. Only time when the ball is in play is counted (i.e. no breaks in play such as for goal-kicks, throw-ins etc).
Intense battle
© IMAGO/Ralf Brueck
30'
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Speed check: The fastest player in the game after 30 minutes
Through high-end camera technology and machine learning, the speed of each player is evaluated in real time. Top speed then means, the fastest measured single frame of a player/game.
29'
Redondo sounds the alarm
The Lautern player is played through on the left and chips the ball with a great touch into the penalty spot. There are enough teammates in the penalty area, but Schalke manage to clear. Nevertheless, a good opportunity for the hosts.
25'
Heekeren again!
A small private battle is developing between Ache and Heekeren. This time the Schalke goalkeeper dives to keep out a shot from the Lautern striker from the edge of the penalty area.
23'
Brilliant save from Heekeren!
The Schalke goalkeeper has to show all his skill for the first time. From a low cross, Ache darts into the six-yard box and tries to poke the ball into the net, but Heekeren is alert and manages to block the ball. Excellent save.
21'
Heuer lets fly...
The centre-back has a go from 35 yards but the ball sails well over the Schalke goal.
18'
Corner in front of the West Stand
Seguin delivers the first corner for Schalke from the right side into the centre, where Grüger sends the ball well over the crossbar.
17'
Over the crossbar
Bachmann gets to the ball in the visitors' penalty area but puts it well over Krahl's goal.
14'
Yokota is busy
The attacker is often sought by the home side and manages to get past one or two Schalke players 30 yards out. However, the Japanese player's shot is blocked.
Beautiful Choreo
© IMAGO/Frey-Pressebild/Deines
12'
Chaos in the penalty area
For the first time there is danger in the Lautern penalty area, where the ball flips between a host of legs and is then fortunately cleared before a Schalke player can profit from the chaos.
10'
It's happening on the left
Redondo storms forward on the left flank and is nicely played through. However, his chip over Murkin is a bit too far, making it easy for Heekeren to collect the ball.
9'
Schalke warm up
The visitors have managed to calm the match a bit and launch their first attack, which Krahl is able to clear with a long kick from the edge of the penalty area before Sylla can get to it.
7'
Ache shows strength
The striker races after the ball down the right and manages to clear it into touch with a sliding tackle. This earns applause from the crowd at the Betzenberg.
4'
The corner...
...is cleared by aSchalke head, but once again the ball is played long and deep over Krahl towards Hanslik, who wins another corner. Kaiserslautern are applying the pressure here.
4'
In control
The home side are circulating the ball and repeatedly involve Krahl in goal. This gives them confidence in their own play and ultimately results in the first corner for the hosts.
2'
Ache with the chance
Ritter plays the ball deep to Ache, but Heekeren is alert and secures the ball at the edge of the penalty area before the Kaiserslautern striker.
2'
Nervous start
Both teams are currently hitting balls out of play. A certain nervousness is palpable.
1'
Kick-off!
Schalke, decked out in white, have kicked off the match!
Kick-off!
Ronstadt gets a chance
The most surprising personnel decision at Kaiserslautern is certainly the inclusion in the starting XI of Ronstadt. He last started in December, has only been on the pitch for three minutes in the second half of the season and recently hasn't even been making the matchday squad. But it's not that surprising after all: Ronstadt played under Lieberknecht at Darmstadt.
Lieberknecht makes changes
Lautern's new coach changes almost half the team, with five in total. Bauer is suspended, Gyamerah is not in the squad and the trio of Wekesser, Breithaupt and Robinson have to settle for the bench. New in the team are Elvedi, Ronstadt, Hanslik, Kaloc and Yokota.
Bachmann takes Karaman's place
The only change for Schalke from the draw against HSV is that Bachmann comes into the team for Karaman, who is suspended. Bachmann is familiar with the Betzenberg stadium, having played a total of 46 third-division matches for the Red Devils (two goals) between July 2019 and January 2021.
Schalke starting XI
Heekeren - Bulut, Schallenberg, Kaminski, Murkin - Bachmann, Grüger - Mohr, Seguin, Aygin - Sylla
Kaiserslautern starting XI
Krahl - Heuer, Sirch, Elvedi - Yokota, Kaloc, Ritter, Ronstadt - Hanslik - Redondo, Ache
What Kees van Wonderen has said
"Kaiserslautern has a new coach, but the team with its qualities is still the same, we are well prepared for what awaits us there. We're looking forward to the atmosphere there and the clash with an opponent who will fight with everything they've got for third place. We're preparing for an intense match."
What Torsten Lieberknecht has said
"The focus is completely on us, even though we obviously take the opponent into account as well. But we're mainly looking at which details we can change about ourselves. Schalke is certainly not a pushover - but neither are we."
Anfang out, Lieberknecht in
© IMAGO/Blatterspiel
Thirteen years ago...
Schalke celebrated their last win at the Betzenberg in March 2012 as Raúl, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Lewis Holtby and Jefferson Farfan scored in a 4-1 victory in the Bundesliga.
Regular opponents
In the Bundesliga, the teams have faced off 78 times (with 28 wins each), while in Bundesliga 2, this is only their fourth meeting. The previous three second division encounters all ended in clear victories (most recently 3-0 and 4-1 for Kaiserslautern, before that 3-0 for Schalke).
German giants
Kaiserslautern (four-time German champions, two-time DFB Cup winners) and Schalke (seven-time champions, five-time Cup winners) have won a combined 11 German championships and seven DFB Cups. The Royal Blues even defeated the Red Devils 5-0 in the 1972 DFB Cup final.
Hello and welcome!
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 31 fixture between Kaiserslautern and Schalke.