week 9 - match report

Referee's error ushers in 2-0 loss against Karlsruhe

Mirko Slomka's analysis of the 2-0 home defeat against Karlsruhe was a mixture of self-criticism, criticism of the referee, and praise for the visitors.

For the visit of newly promoted Karlsruhe the Schalke boss made just one change to the side that won at Rosenborg in the Champions League, introducing Gerald Asamoah in place of Peter Lovenkrands in attack. But it was clear from the outset that the Royal Blues lacked the momentum of their recent winning run. "It wasn't a good performance by us. Hardly anyone played to their full potential", said Slomka. "But we knew before the game that we wouldn't be creating any fireworks this time." Although no one in the Schalke camp cited the exertions of the recent busy programme as a reason for the defeat, even Karlsruhe coach Edmund Becker conceded that "we benefited a bit from the fact that Schalke had a few matches in their legs".

The first half was one of few chances. Jermaine Jones twice went close for the Royal Blues, while at the other end Alexander Iashvili's deflected effort struck the left-hand upright. "We were overawed by the atmosphere and the stadium in the beginning and we didn't develop many attacking moves", said Becker. "But we were solid at the back and it was only from one or two set pieces that we enjoyed a bit of luck."

The pattern remained the same after the interval. But the first genuine moment of excitement on 65 was the key incident from Schalke's point of view: Kuranyi found the net after being put clear by a Jones header, only for linesman Guido Kleve to rule the goal out for an alleged offside. The decision was a wrong one but it didn't put the Royal Blues behind. That happened four minutes later when Timm ran onto a great Hajnal pass to skip past Neuer and put the visitors ahead. And against a packed Karlsruhe defence the home side were unable to find a way through for the equaliser. On the contrary, when Schalke skipper Marcelo Bordon abandoned his defensive duties to join the attack the visitors took their very next chance to score a killer second goal. Again it was Hajnal who set up Timm (83').

"In games like this you only get two or three chances. We took one of them and the goal should have stood", said Slomka. "Because if we had gone 1-0 up, that would have been the end of it. I'm sure we'd have rekindled the determination to keep another clean sheet." Nevertheless the 40-year-old wasn't taking anything away from the visitors. "They put in a great performance and deserve to be not just above us in the table but also right up there at the top."

Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Westermann, Bordon, Höwedes - Ernst - Jones, Bajramovic (Özil 46') - Rakitic (Azaouagh 78') - Asamoah (Lovenkrands 63'), Kuranyi

Karlsruhe: Miller - Görlitz, Eggimann, Franz, Eichner - Porcello, Mutzel - Timm, Hajnal (Aduobe 85'), Iaschvili - Freis (Kapllani 67')

Referee: Fleischer (Sigmertshausen)

Goals: 0-1 Timm (68'), 0-2 Timm (83')

Attendance: 61,482 (sold out)

Yellow cards: - Görlitz (2)