Victory against Bochum: Late double strike brings Schalke 2-1 victory

Gelsenkirchen (dpa) FC Schalke 04 continues on its winning path with coach Miron Muslic. On the third matchday of the 2. Bundesliga, a late double strike secured a 2-1 (0-0) victory against local rivals VfL Bochum, the third win in four competitive matches under the Austrian, who was only signed this summer. And Muslic demonstrated a particularly lucky touch that evening.

The coach had only substituted on Schalke's two goalscorers, Hasan Kurucay (71st minute) and Bryan Lasme (79th minute), a few minutes earlier. At that point, Bochum were still leading 1-0 thanks to Gerrit Holtmann's goal (65th minute). But the one goal wasn't enough for Bochum to win in the first meeting between the two teams in the 2. Bundesliga. Bochum's last victory against their neighbors dates back to February 2009, when Manuel Neuer was still in goal for Schalke. They had a great chance early on.

However, defensive leader Kevin Vogt was denied a penalty in the 25th minute by goalkeeper Loris Karius. Hasan Kurucay had previously handled the ball in the penalty area, and referee Frank Willenborg had received a warning from the video referee. VfL captain Matus Bero had already missed a penalty in the DFB Cup a week earlier.

The visitors, however, rarely threatened from open play. The home side were different: After four minutes, Vitalie Becker tested VfL goalkeeper Timo Horn from distance. Shortly before halftime, former Bochum player Christopher Antwi-Adjei was denied a one-on-one by Horn, and Sylla also failed to get past the goalkeeper (54'). Then the goal came at the other end.

A shot from Mats Pannewig was parried to the side by goalkeeper Karius. Holtmann reacted quickest and slotted the ball into the far corner. But Schalke came back with a bang. Kurucay equalized the shot from Finn Porath, who had only signed the day before from Holstein Kiel, and Lasme sealed the victory shortly after.