😵‍💫 Debutant loses his head: 90 minutes at Schalke will do that to you

Headstrong Hero: Katic's Debut Ends with a Bang (and Bandage)

Schalke 04 secure vital home victory, but debutant Nikola Katic leaves the pitch with more than just a win.

Schalke 04 proved to be no ordinary football club for Nikola Katic on his competitive debut. The 28-year-old defender certainly experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during the 90 minutes against Hertha BSC, ultimately scoring the winning goal and ending up sent off with a red card.

Katic's afternoon started brightly. He found himself on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute with a powerful header, securing Schalke a crucial lead in their pursuit of victory. However, fate had other plans for the Bosnian defender.

Just before the final whistle, Katic sustained a nasty head wound during a header duel, requiring immediate treatment on the pitch – a bandage was hastily applied to stem the bleeding. Despite the injury, Katic bravely continued playing, seemingly undeterred by the growing impact of the blow.

But the drama wasn't over. In stoppage time, Katic saw red after receiving his second yellow card for a deliberate handball. The towering defender rose high like a volleyball player in an attempt to clear the ball from Fabian Reese, but instead, his hand made contact with the ball, leading to his dismissal.

"I think he didn't know what he was doing," commented Schalke coach Miron Muslic after the game, adding another layer of bewilderment to Katic's eventful debut. This red card marked a significant first for the experienced defender, who had never been sent off in his 257 previous professional appearances.

Despite the controversy and injury, Katic’s goal ultimately secured Schalke a 2-1 victory – a bittersweet ending to his royal blue baptism.