S04 Schalke FC Schalke 04 - BSC Hertha BSC Hertha BSC
Highlights
- N. Katić 90' +8'
- 89' S. Grönning
- N. Katić 23'
- M. Sylla 16'
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Full-time: Schalke 2-1 Hertha
© IMAGO/Weis/TEAM2sportphoto
Full-time
90'
+ 8
Sending off!
Katić, who was just receiving treatment, sees a second yellow card for handball!
90'
+ 6
Katić down
The Schalke goalscorer needs treatment after taking a blow to the face. This'll add on a few minutes...
90'
+ 4
Time wasting
Karius is booked for taking too long over a goal-kick. No questioning his motive this late in the game...
90'
+ 4
90'
+ 1
Five added minutes
Still time for Hertha to snatch something from this one...
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.
89'
Katić and Becker cautioned
The two Schalke defenders are shown yellow cards for dissent.
89'
Lifeline!
Two of the subs combine as Winkler crosses for Grönning, who's onside when he converts from close range. Get ready for a grandstand finish!
89'
SituationGoal
ReviewOffside?
DecisionGoal
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.
88'
Substitution
88'
Substitution
85'
Not quite
Eitschberger, who's worked tirelessly up and down the Hertha right, slips as he attempts a cross. That's pretty much been the story of Hertha's night.
80'
Another roll of the dice
Leitl responds with a double change of his own as Grönning and Jensen are sent on. The visitors have worked hard, but the final ball has been lacking.
80'
Substitution
80'
Substitution
This is Gelsenkirchen
© Lars Baron
77'
Attacking changes
Højlund and Lasme enter the fray in a bid to re-inject the Schalke attack with the kind of spark that set the first half on fire.
77'
Substitution
77'
Substitution
75'
Ticking off
Sánchez brings down Kownacki as another Hertha attempt to prise open the Schalke defence is halted.
70'
No-nonsense stuff
Demme's put in a serious shift today, the one-time Germany midfielder putting all his past top-level experience with Leipzig and Napoli to great use.
70'
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.
87%
%
Diego Demme
15 times under pressure
69'
Double change
Leitl sends on Winkler and Thorsteinsson for the remainder. Will the fresh legs have the desired effect with little over 20 minutes to go?
69'
Substitution
69'
Substitution
66'
Overzealous
The Hertha enforcer receives a yellow card after upending Schallenberg in the centre of the park.
65'
Miscued
A corner from the right side makes its way to the edge of the area, where Karbownik takes aim and clears the crossbar.
64'
Hard runners
62'
Substitution
61'
Schalke change
Grüger's on for young Remmert, who's worked his socks off in the Schalke attack.
61'
Becker!
Another corner, another Schalke chance - but Becker can't direct his header on target.
58'
Reese!
Krattenmacher plays a perfect through-ball to Hertha's skipper, who aims low but is foiled by the reactions of Karius.
53'
Berlin applying pressure
The visitors are now shifting the play more and more into Schalke's half. Still no openings of note in front of goal, though.
50'
Roof of the net
Eitschberger nearly catches out Karius with a mishit cross from the right, but the ball just clears the crossbar.
46'
Back under way!
A half-time change in the Hertha defence as Kolbe replaces Dárdai. Will the Berlin outfit turn this around?
Kick-off!
45'
+ 2
Substitution
Half-time: Schalke 2-0 Hertha
© Lars Baron
Half-time
45'
+ 1
Stoppage time
Another 60 seconds at the end of the first half in Gelsenkirchen...
45'
Booking
Antwi-Adjei tries to poke the ball away from Zeefuik and probably makes slight contact with him. Referee Hempel shows him the yellow card.
41'
Spoke too soon!
Ernst only half clears a cross from Gantenbein. It falls kindly for Remmert, who spoons over from 10 yards. Huge chance for a third Schalke goal not taken!
40'
Inevitable lull
After 40 minutes of full-throttle football, the tempo has slowed as half-time nears.
0:17
Watch: It's good to be back
36'
Nine tenths of the law
Possession (%)
4357
32'
First booking
Gantenbein is cautioned after stopping Karbownik from breaking away. No complaints there.
Royal Blue delight
© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze
30'
Rampant start
Goal attempts
3off target
5on target
2off target
1on target
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.
High intensity
© DFL/Getty Images/Lukas Schulze
26'
Wayward
Over the bar again from Eitschberger. That just about sums up Hertha's night so far.
23'
Debut goal!
Katić makes no mistake with his header, Schalke's summer signing powering in Antwi-Adjei's superb corner-kick delivery. Muslić is in dreamland.
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.
21'
Zeefuik!
Great header from a corner, met by an even better save by Karius. What an advert for Bundesliga 2 football this is!
19'
Almost a quick double!
Sylla gets away and whips in a vicious strike that Ernst does well to bat clear.
16'
First goal of the season!
There it is! Remmert battle with Dárdai and pokes a pass to Sylla, who confidently slots home from 11 yards out. It's no more than the Royal Blues deserve. They've been brilliant from the get-go.
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.
12'
Berlin respond
Kownacki's path is blocked, but Hertha recycle possession with Eitschberger, who sends a speculative long-range effort wide of the goal.
9'
Next attempt
Antwi-Adjei gets in behind again, before sending a hurried effort off target. Very bright start by the home side.
8'
Over!
Sylla breaks through on the left side and pulls the ball back from the by-line. It eventually breaks to Schallenberg, who blazes over.
3'
Half chance!
Urged on by the North Stand, Schalke immediately play forward. Antwi-Adjei delivers a corner from the right, but Hertha manage to get it clear.
1'
Under way!
Hertha get the 2025/26 Bundesliga 2 season up and running. Will either of these sides be celebrating promotion to the big time at the end of it?
Kick-off!
Teams out
Incredible atmosphere at the 62,271-capacity Veltins. Kick-off is just around the corner...
Stat attack
Hertha are winless in their last four season-opening fixtures, dating back to a 4-1 win in Bremen in 2020.
0:35
Watch: Muslić gears up for Bundesliga 2 debut
Faith in youth
Muslić has opted for his tried-and-tested 3-4-2-1 formation, with 20-year-old debutant Vitalie Becker the surprise inclusion on the left-hand side. Attacking midfielder Peter Remmert, also 20, has only featured for the senior side twice before.
0:07
Watch: Perfect pitch
More on those teams
Muslić hands debuts to Katic and El-Faouzi, while Krattenmacher and Kownacki are the new faces in the Hertha starting line-up.
1:24
Schalke in the building!
All change at Schalke
© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto
Berl-ins and outs
© IMAGO/Alex Todd
Pre-season results: Hertha
The Old Lady lost just once during their summer preparations (1-0 vs. Brondby). They also beat Havelse 3-2 and Austria Vienna 2-1, and drew 1-1 with Motherwell.
Pre-season results: Schalke
Die Knappen won two of their six pre-season friendlies, beating St. Gallen 1-0 and Rot Weiss Ahlen 3-0. They also played out goalless draws with Panathinaikos and Twente, whilst losing 3-2 to Wehen Wiesbaden and 4-2 to Sevilla.
Royal Blue is the colour!
© DFL
Stefan Leitl on facing Schalke
"This match represents an absolute highlight fixture. Two heavyweights of German football are facing each other. There will be a certain tension noticeable in the first match, but we want to showcase Bundesliga 2 and take home three points in the end."
0:33
Watch: Schalke vs. Hertha - best goals
Miron Muslić on facing Hertha
"We've prepared well. I've known Stefan Leitl for years and he has a signature style of play, so we know what we need to do. Hertha has a top team. They have a strong spine and playing style, we're facing quality opposition."
Awesome stage
© IMAGO/osnapix / Marcus Hirnschal
Schalke Boy
Fabian Reese was part of Schalke's youth academy, won the U19 championship with the club in 2015 alongside Leroy Sané and made 13 Bundesliga appearances for the Royal Blues. In three matches with Hertha against his former club, Reese has been involved in six goals (scoring two himself).
Reunion
Hertha newcomer Paul Seguin played for Schalke over the past two years, scoring five goals in 55 Bundesliga 2 appearances.
Fond memories
Schalke won 12 of their last 14 home matches against Hertha in the Bundesliga, but their most recent home victory against the Old Lady in the second division was 35 years ago. That was a 4-1 success in March 1990 under coach Peter Neururer, with Jens Lehmann in goal and Alexander Borodjuk scoring a brace.
Rich in tradition
Schalke and Hertha are meeting for the 101st time in a competitive match. The Berliners have faced no other team that often. Of that total, 76 matches took place in the Bundesliga, with this being their 13th encounter in the second division.
We're back, baby!
Finally, Bundesliga 2 is back! It all starts on Friday 1 August at 8.30pm CEST with a blockbuster as Schalke host Hertha.
Hello and welcome!
Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 1 fixture between Schalke and Hertha Berlin.