SCHALKE MATCHDAY 30: vs HAMBURG

The league leaders come to the VELTINS-Arena for the top match of 2.Bundesliga matchday 30.

In the first leg back in November Schalke came back from two goals down to draw the match 2-2.

Both Schalke and Hamburg are coming into this match losing last weeks match to teams in the relegation zone.

Hamburg are desperate to finally hold on to a promotion spot after years of being at the top of the table to drop down in the final matchdays of the season

With Hamburg on top with 52 pts and Köln behind them with 51 and in the playoff spot is as of today's earlier matches, Elversberg at 48.

Schalke is sitting in 11th spot.

The referee blows the whistle, and Schalke kick off to start in front of great crowd in the VELTINS-Arena.

The Hamburg supporters have come and displayed a great TIFO in their section.

The Nordkurve did have a TIFO planned but the Gelsenkirchen police would not give the ok for it to be used.

As the match is underway it is a quick and early action to start off, and in the 2nd minute, Karaman comes in with a sliding tackle that strikes the Hamburg player above the ankle, although through reply we can see the move is not intentional, referee Osmers heads over to the VAR screen reviews the play, ( while reviewing gives Seguin a yellow card for being to close and arguing) and after the review shows Karaman a straight red card.

Schalke will play the rest of the match without their captain on the pitch and a man down.

It is within minutes of the Karaman dismissal that Schalke get a free kick and in the 9th minute, Seguin quickly passes the ball off to Mohr who himself quickly passes the ball off to a surging Sylla at goal and within meters in the keepers box Sylla gets the touch and the Hamburg keeper has to very quickly react and just gets his foot out to save the ball or more his foot is just there and Sylla just couldn't get the ball over.

A huge chance for Schalke to score as that play caught the entire Hamburg team off guard.

Schalke win a corner in the 15th minute as Mohr delivers the kick, it is Ron Schallenberg who is at the near post and he jumps and gets his head on the ball to have it go into the back of the net.

10-men Schalke take the lead.

SCHALKE 1- HAMBURG 0

Schalke are still looking dangerous and are playing not like a team that is a man down, as the team is still able to create chances, with Sylla getting a few chances but the ball is just too fast and he just can't get to the ball in time, but Schalke are trying to feed him.

Bulut has also showed some great sparks with some great defensive moves to win the ball back and even a great run to bring the ball into the Hamburg box.

Heekeren in the 39th minute makes a huge full stretched save on the Hamburg striker.

Schalke, even being a man down are leading the match so far by the 40th minute with shots on target leading Hamburg 2-1 in that category.

The pressure has finally caught up with Schalke as in the 41st minute, Emir Sahiti heads home a cross from a delivery across the box and the league leaders have equalized.

SCHALKE 1 - HAMBURG 1

Schalke off the ensuing kick off lose the ball and Hamburg are charging at Schalke goal and a pass at the halfway line to Königsdörffer who travels with the ball and then plays the ball across the box to surging Sahiti who gets a very quick second goal of the match.

SCHALKE 1- HAMBURG 2

Schalke tried but unfortunately they go into the break a goal and man down, but Schalke did show great heart, energy and spirit once the captain went out to keep the match good for them.

HALF TIME:

SCHALKE 1 - HAMBURG 2

Hamburg have controlled the match since the restart,

But have not punished Schalke for being a man down.

The Hamburg fans in the 64th minute have interrupted play as they have unleashed a full fireworks display in their end, with the fireworks popping off, the referee causes a halt in play as some of the Hamburg fans walk over to tell them to stop.

Some firework sticks are now on the field.

As we get back underway Hamburg continue with shots that are going way over goal, and good news for Schalke not posing much of a threat at goal.

Hamburg again with chances at Schalke goal, in the 71st minute its Selke goes in with a diving header but the ball hits the crossbar behind Heekeren and the ball is away.

Schalke bring the ball into the Hamburg box and with less than ten minutes to play, in the 82nd minute a delivery to Sylla in the box and he jumps higher than everyone in the box and heads home a huge looper type of play where the ball is in the air for a while, everyone looks for it and it lands in the far corner past the goal line and is in for his 15th goal of the season and 10-man Schalke have found a second goal against the league leaders.

SCHALKE 2 - HAMBURG 2

With his goal, Moussa Sylla makes way for Emil Højlund to be subbed in.

Hamburg get a great chance in the box but Heekeren is there to make a in-close great save.

Højlund almost makes something happen, in the 91st minute he comes charging in and heads the ball out of the keepers hands but the ball goes way to high over into the netting behind the goal.

Hamburg are now just trying to put all crosses into the Schalke box but Heekeren and the players are there to clear it away.

With still a few minutes to play Schalke now have the whole team playing in their own penalty area clearing away anything that comes close.

Heekeren is now shown a yellow card for taking his time to deliver the ball.

The Schalke supporters are now urging the referee to blow his whistle as the match is now in the 98th minute.

Finally the whistle goes and Schalke hang on, and come back to steal and take a point from the leagues leaders all while playing the match with 10 men.

FULL TIME:

SCHALKE 2 - HAMBURG 2

Schalke celebrations all around the pitch as they very much put in a incredible performance today.

On the other side of the field, Hamburg frustration is creeping in, Mikelbrencis and Dompe are having to be separated by their teammates with each looking very angry with each other and as they try to have a team huddle, they can't as the players are still shouting.

Hamburg never looked the same after the firework interruption in the match and now could drop a position depending what Köln is able to do tomorrow.

Schalke will stay in that 11 spot, waiting for the outcome of the Hertha match tomorrow.

Overall a great fighting spirt from Schalke today, a all heart performance

Schalke fans can be proud what the boys showed today.