"Bitter" bad decision "Vomits" Schalke 04 is powered on
Miroslav Klose celebrates his first win as 1. FC Nürnberg coach. Opponent Schalke 04 felt cheated. A key moment was the red card for Ron Schallenberg. Sporting director Wilmots is massively upset that the video assistant referee couldn't intervene.
Miroslav Klose was furious. Really furious. The 1. FC Nürnberg coach made his team feel that after a dismal first half in the clash of the veterans against Schalke 04. "My half-time talk got a bit louder. Luckily, it worked," said the 2014 World Cup winner. In the end, Klose celebrated a 3:1 (0:1) win over his ambitious second-division side. "I'm especially happy for the fans," he said afterwards in his usual modest way.
But until half-time, it looked like a second defeat in two games. The visitors dominated and created chances. After a mistake by U17 World Cup winner Finn Jeltsch, Schalke deservedly led through Ibrahima Cisse (45.+1). "In the first half, we saw many things we didn't like. We weren't brave enough, didn't play three passes cleanly, and didn't find our positioning often enough," Klose criticized.
"A decision like that makes me sick"
His players listened to him well. After the break, Lukas Schleimer (47.), Caspar Jander (56.), and Rafael Lubach (77.) turned the game around. "Miro found clear words. He can be loud," Schleimer confirmed after the final whistle on Sky. The controversial red card against Ron Schallenberg (45.+4) also played into the club's hands. The sending-off was also the key moment for Schalke, who were furious. Kenan Karaman called the decision by referee Nicolas Winter "absolutely bitter" and had clear words: "A decision like that makes me sick."
Schallenberg couldn't understand the red card after the duel with Jander either, as he himself suffered a laceration in the process. "That was definitely not a foul from me," said Schallenberg and added: "That action changed the game significantly." The red card for Jander (67.) didn't change that. Schalke's hopes for a perfect start after the impressive opening win against Eintracht Braunschweig (5:1) were not fulfilled.
"It would be sensible to adjust the rules"
Sporting director Marc Wilmots would like the VAR to be able to intervene in such a game-deciding situation in the future. "It would be sensible to adjust the rules accordingly," said the Belgian. Everyone makes mistakes, including referees. "That's why it would have been good if he could have been supported in this situation," Wilmots said.
But that wasn't possible according to the rules. So, the Nürnberg fans celebrated. Klose, however, dampened the euphoria. "We have to take it step by step and not think too big," said the World Cup record goalscorer. But he wants to turn the Max-Morlock-Stadion into a "fortress." Otherwise, Mr. Klose can also get really angry and loud.
The following paragraphs are added to express the frustration of Schalke's sporting director Marc Wilmots, who believes it would be sensible to adjust the rules to allow the video assistant referee to intervene in game-deciding situations like the controversial red card for Ron Schallenberg. Wilmots expresses his belief that everyone makes mistakes, including referees, and it would have been beneficial if the VAR could have provided support in this situation, according to the rules.
In response to the controversial red card, Schalke's Kenan Karaman expressed his displeasure, stating that such a decision makes him sick. The red card against Schallenberg significantly impacted the game, as it led to Nuernberg's comeback and Schalke's second consecutive defeat in two games.
