Schalke 04 will begin their DFB-Pokal campaign without captain Kenan Karaman. The 32-year-old forward has been ruled out of Monday’s first-round fixture against Hallescher FC following a hip injury suffered during pre-season preparations.
Injury sustained against Atalanta
The setback occurred during a friendly match against Italian side Atalanta earlier this month. Karaman took a heavy fall on his hip during the contest, which led to fluid building up around the affected area.
Medical staff performed a minor procedure on Monday to drain the fluid from the injury. As a result, the attacking player will not travel with the squad for the cup tie on August 24.
Bundesliga opener remains the target
Schalke are optimistic their skipper will recover in time for more significant fixtures. The club hope Karaman will prove his fitness ahead of their Bundesliga opener against Augsburg on August 30.
The Gelsenkirchen side face a challenging return to Germany’s top flight after winning promotion last term. Losing their captain for the league curtain-raiser would represent a significant blow for the newly-promoted outfit.
Karaman has established himself as a key figure at the Veltins-Arena since joining the Royal Blues. His absence leaves a gap in the forward line for the first competitive outing of the 2026-27 campaign.
What happens next
The Turkish international will continue his rehabilitation programme over the coming days. Medical staff will assess his progress before determining whether he can resume full training prior to the Augsburg fixture.