Karius and Gosens injured in frightening Schalke collision

Schalke 04 goalkeeper Loris Karius suffered a head injury after colliding with team-mate Robin Gosens during their 2-1 defeat by Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

The match was stopped for several minutes early in the second half as medical staff treated Karius on the pitch. Players and supporters watched in silence while Kevin Muller, Schalke’s substitute goalkeeper, prepared to come on in case Karius was unable to continue.

The incident occurred in the 47th minute after Fisnik Asllani struck a powerful shot from 14 metres. Karius could not hold the effort and Gosens moved to clear the loose ball. At the same moment, Karius rushed forward and Gosens’ outstretched leg struck the goalkeeper in the head.

Karius sustained a cut to his nose but was eventually able to walk off the pitch. Muller replaced him in goal.

Gosens was also injured in the collision. His knee twisted after making contact with Karius and he left the field limping, with a thick bandage placed around the joint. Vitaly Becker came on as his replacement.

The collision added to a difficult evening for Karius, who had already made two costly errors during the first half.

Hoffenheim took the lead in the 10th minute when Karius mishandled a straightforward back-pass from Al-Fawzi. The ball fell to Asllani, whose touch sent it beyond the goalkeeper and into the net.

The home side doubled their advantage 16 minutes later. Tim Lemperle took advantage of a lack of defensive attention from Kourouki, exchanged passes with Asllani and fired into the net from 10 metres.

Hoffenheim therefore went into half-time with a 2-0 lead, before the second-half collision left Schalke facing further disruption.

Despite the setback, Schalke continued to push for a way back into the game. Their efforts produced a goal in the 81st minute, when Junior Adamu reduced the deficit.

Schalke could not find an equaliser, however, and Hoffenheim held on to secure a 2-1 victory.