Schalke snatches victory against Nuremberg with late Latza goal
Embracing their new coach Karel Geraerts, Schalke 04 halted 1. FC Nürnberg's uptrend in the 2nd Bundesliga with a nail-biting, last-minute victory. In the 89th minute on Saturday, substitute Danny Latza headed home a free-kick, securing a 2:1 (1:0) triumph for the visitors. This marked Schalke's second consecutive success under Geraerts, with their third victorious outing in seven games.
Dominick Drexler initiated Schalke's lead during the first half, capitalizing on a long pass to leave Ahmet Gürleyen behind. Drexler then converted the chance to put Schalke ahead before the break.
As the second half commenced, an energized Nuremberg launched their offensive with substitute Felix Lohkemper, the cup hero. Following an injury withdrawal of Florian Flick, who had equalized against his former club, Lohkemper's efforts led to Nuremberg leveling the score at 1-1 (47'). Benjamin Goller nearly secured two goals for Nuremberg, with a shot cleared off the line, while Kanji Okunuki also missed a vital opportunity in the 85th minute.
However, Latza stepped up with a crucial header to seal the win for Schalke, marking their latest resilient away-match performance after victories over FC Magdeburg (2-5) and FC Cologne (1-0) earlier in the season.
The sold-out Max Morlock Stadium echoed with a unique fan camaraderie between Schalke and Nuremberg, while the combatants engaged in fierce battle for the points. The young FCN team's newfound self-assurance became apparent, yet Schalke showcased a more dangerous streak during the opening phase.
Crucial Match Info
In the 2nd Bundesliga, Schalke faced a formidable task against Nuremberg, who threatened to take maximum points. However, the latter's missed scoring opportunities and Latza's last-minute heroics saw the points swing in Schalke's favor.
As of the current season statistics, both Schalke and Nuremberg share the 2nd Bundesliga with their challenging encounters. Schalke holds the 13th spot with 6 victories, 6 draws, and 9 defeats in 21 games, amounting to 24 points. Meanwhile, Nuremberg holds the 11th position with 9 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses, maintaining 31 points from their 21-match journey. Both squads have displayed resilience and inconsistency at various stages, with Schalke's recent victories offering intriguing twists in their respective races.
