Füllkrug hat-trick sees Werder beat Schalke 3-1 | OneFootball

Werder Bremen defeated FC Schalke 04 3-1 on Saturday night in the VELTINS-Arena. Niclas Füllkrug scored a hat-trick for the visitors, while Mark Uth grabbed a late consolation goal for S04.

The club had hoped to welcome back fans for Saturday’s game, however local authorities informed S04 on the morning of the game that no spectators would be permitted in the VELTINS-Arena with the average number of coronavirus cases in Gelsenkirchen rising to above 35.

Omar Mascarell made his first Bundesliga appearance for the first time in seven months. The captain suffered an adductor injury at the end of February and has recently picked up some minutes with the U23s, just as Nassim Boujellab, who also came into the starting XI. The duo replaced Suat Serdar and Amine Harit, with Benito Raman also taking Rabbi Matondo’s place in the team.

After an even opening few minutes, Bremen took control of the game after 10 minutes. Joshua Sargent couldn’t connect with a shot from six yards out after a pass from Bittencourt. His strike partner Niclas Füllkrug went one better in the 22nd minute though. The attacker flicked home after a Sargent header from a corner.

Niclas Füllkrug had a chance to make it 2-0 after half an hour, but he could only find the side netting. It didn’t last long, however, until he was celebrating again; Augustinsson sent a free kick into the box and the striker met it with a perfect header to get his second (37’). The Royal Blues were unable to really test Jiri Pavlenka in the Werder goal. He was only made to work to save a Goncalo Paciencia header after 43 minutes.

David Wagner made two changes for the second half. Salif Sané replaced Benjamin Stambouli to make his return from injury. Vedad Ibisevic also came on for Benito Raman. Schalke’s new signing came close to a debut goal soon after. His header from inside the box missed the goal by just centimeters (53’). Nassim Boujellab then clipped the post with a low drive less than two minutes later.

Werder’s next chance resulted in their third goal of the night. Ozan Kabak brought down Niclas Füllkrug in the box and referee Markus Schmidt pointed to the spot. Füllkrug stepped up himself and converted the penalty to seal his hat-trick (59’).

With the Royal Blues unable to change the course of the game, the third goal put the match to bed. Mark Uth scored in injury time, when he took a shot from 17 metres with his left foot, but it was too little too late.

Schalke’s next league game is again on a Saturday evening, this time away to RB Leipzig (3/10, 18:30 CEST).