Karimi plays in Bundesliga again after four years

PFDC – GELSENKRICHEN, Ali Karimi finally played Bundesliga football again, coming on as second half substitute in FC Schalke’s 0-1 defeat to FC Kaiserlautern on Saturday afternoon.

Schalke, who will face Manchester United in UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, fell behind when Lakic scored three minutes before the break.

Schalke boss Ralf Ragnick reacted and brought on three offensive midfielders before and during second half, Karimi replacing striker Edu being his third and final substitution after 62 minutes.

The Iranian playmaker played as half-right offensive midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 system and showed calmness and security on the ball as usual, although not everything he tried was successful.

Still he certainly had an all but disappointing display and almost helped creating an equalizer three minutes from time. Karimi’s leftfooted cross from the left side couldn’t be cleared by the defense, but Matip’s following effort from close range missed the target.

Karimi’s last Bundesliga game had taken place in June 2007 when he scored his third and final Bundesliga goal for Bayern Munich against Mainz 05.

Schalke remain in tenth position in nomansland of the Bundesliga table and will concentrate on the Champions League and the German Cup final instead.