The FC Schalke 04 secured a 2-1 victory against 1. FC Union Berlin on Friday evening to open the third round of the 3. Bundesliga.
Schalke initiated the match as the more attacking side, quickly disrupting the Union Berlin buildup and utilizing fast counterattacks throughout the game. The score was opened in the 25th minute when Robin Gosens found the net following an assist from Soufiane El-Faouzi; Leopold Querfeld of Union made a clumsy touch that allowed the ball to spring off the inside post and into the net.
The visiting Schalke team continued putting pressure on the deficit. Shortly after the half, Adil Aouchiche doubled the lead for Union. Following a two-pass movement involving Junior Adamu, Aouchiche sent the ball over the bar, eventually scoring. Although referee Timo Gerach initially disallowed the goal for offside, video assistant intervention eventually overturned the decision, confirming the goal.
Union increased their offensive pressure thereafter, forcing Schalke’s goalkeeper Loris Karius into a series of saves from players including András Schäfer, Tom Rothe, and Tim Skarke. Tom Rothe also missed a header chance. Later, the substitute Marin Ljubicic came close to finding the equalizer in the 87th minute, hitting the post. Conversely, Adamu missed a strong chance for Schalke in the 79th minute, as Union keeper Frederik Rönnow made a swift save from close range.
The momentum shifted deep in stoppage time. Tim Skarke, who had been loaned to Schalke in 2023, reduced the gap to 1-2 in the 6th minute of added time. This goal was also originally disallowed before the video assistant confirmed it. Ultimately, Max Wöber closed out the game for Schalke in the 13th minute of added time to make it 2-2, giving Schalke the win.
