Schalke goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a head injury after colliding with team-mate Robin Gosens during a frightening second half in the 2-1 Bundesliga defeat by Hoffenheim.
The match was stopped for several minutes after the incident in the 47th minute, with players and supporters left concerned as medical staff treated both Schalke players on the pitch.
According to German newspaper Bild, Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani had struck a powerful effort from 14 metres which Karius could not hold. Gosens attempted to clear the loose ball, but Karius moved towards it at the same time. The goalkeeper was hit on the head by his team-mate’s outstretched leg and fell to the ground.
The stadium fell silent while treatment was provided and the crowd stopped chanting. Schalke substitute goalkeeper Kevin Muller began preparing to come on in case Karius was unable to continue.
Karius had suffered a cut to his nose, but eventually managed to leave the field on foot. Muller replaced him in goal. Gosens was also injured in the collision, twisting his knee after striking Karius. He left the pitch limping with a thick bandage around the joint, with Vitaly Becker taking his place.
The incident came after a difficult first half for Karius, who had already made mistakes that contributed to Hoffenheim taking control of the game.
Hoffenheim opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Karius misjudged a routine back-pass from Al-Fouzi. The ball reached Asllani and bounced off his foot before travelling past the goalkeeper and into the net.
The home side doubled their advantage in the 26th minute. Tim Lemperle took advantage of Korokai’s failure to track him, exchanged passes with Asllani and finished from 10 metres to put Hoffenheim 2-0 ahead at half-time.
Schalke were forced to respond immediately after losing Karius and Gosens early in the second half, but they continued to press for a way back into the match rather than surrendering.
Their efforts produced a late opening when Junior Adamu reduced the deficit in the 81st minute. Schalke were unable to find an equaliser, however, and Hoffenheim held on to secure a 2-1 victory.
