Dramatic Džeko debut helps Schalke to late draw with Kaiserslautern

Schalke failed to win three successive games for the first time this season, but Edin Džeko’s memorable debut saved the day as they salvaged a point from a two-goal deficit. Kaiserslautern were unable to reduce the gap between them and the league leaders to five points.

Julian Krahl’s first big save in Kaiserslautern’s goal saw him parry Hasan Kuruçay’s powerful header. At the other end, Naatan Skyttä missed a great chance to score his 10th league goal of the season when he hesitated to attempt a first-time shot.

Schalke had two penalty-kick shouts waved away by the referee Felix Zwayer in the first half. Loris Karius had a quiet game compared to last week’s goalless draw with Hertha BSC, but the shot-stopper still had to make a superb save to deny Kaiserslautern’s captain Marlon Ritter.

Schalke had two more clear-cut chances inside the first 15 minutes after the restart, but Finn Porath and Timo Becker were unable to break the deadlock. They were soon made to rue the missed chances as Ivan Prtajin made an instant impact for the visitors.

Kaiserslautern only scored eight goals in eight away games this season, but they took the lead against the league leaders with the striker’s first touch was a precise header from a wide free-kick by Skyttä.

Prtajin, who had to deal with three separate injuries in his debut season at Kaiserslautern, but he has reached double-figure goals. In his pre-game flash interview with Sky, Miron Muslić outlined the plan for Edin Džeko, in which they planned to use him for 15 minutes on his debut.

However, he had to enter the premises a little earlier with Schalke chasing an equalizer. Yet, it was Prtajin who first succeeded in doubling Kaiserslautern's lead with a counterattacking goal in the 83rd minute. The Croat striker scored a goal on average in less than 100 minutes for Kaiserslautern.

There was a late drama, though. Džeko led Schalke’s comeback as the hosts scored twice in the final five minutes of regular time. The former Bundesliga top-scorer reduced the deficit with a superb finish before Kenan Karaman tied the score in the 90th minute.

Schalke remain top of the league, but they’re now only two points ahead of second-placed Darmstadt. They will face Bochum on matchday 20, while Kaiserslautern play direct rivals Elversberg and Darmstadt in the next two weeks.