Schalke win away in Kiel

Idrizi replaces Latza

Head coach Dimitrios Grammozis made one change to the team that started the season last week at home to Hamburger SV. Blendi Idrizi came into the side in central midfield for captain Danny Latza, who is out with an LCL injury.

Terodde scores after 61 seconds

In front of 4,100 fans at the Holstein-Stadion, Schalke made the perfect start. Thomas Ouwejan’s free-kick from the right-hand side was met brilliantly by Simon Terodde in the box to open the scoring after just 61 seconds! Despite going behind so early, the hosts weren’t shaken and created half chances inside the first quarter of an hour. Alexander Mühling couldn’t get on the end of a dangerous ball close to goal (10’) and ex-Schalker Fabian Reese missed from a narrow angle (13’).

At the other end, the Royal Blues had two long-range strikes that came close. Firstly, Thomas Ouwejan crashed a powerful shot off the bar (15’), then four minutes later Marcin Kaminski tested out Kiel goalkeeper Ioannis Gelios, who initially spilt the shot before taking it at the second attempt.

Another Ouwejan free-kick, another Terodde goal

Schalke soon scored again in Kiel, with the goal almost a carbon copy of the first. Ouwejan – this time from the left – whipped in another free-kick, which Terodde again met on the volley to score his third goal of the season already (21’).

Kiel were still very much in the game and had the ball in the back of Michael Langer’s net in the 28th minute. Another former Royal Blue, Steven Skrzybski, fired home via a slight deflection. However, there was an offside in the build-up, which the assistant spotted and VAR later confirmed.

There were no more notable opportunities for Schalke in the remainder of the first half, whilst Kiel had one more chance. Reese struck a dangerous shot goalbound that was crucially deflected over by Ouwejan.

S04 survive period of Kiel pressure unscathed

Shortly after the restart, Thomas Ouwejan tested Kiel goalkeeper Ioannis Gelios with a free-kick from 25 yards out as he curled an effort over the wall (48’). Despite this chance, it was Kiel who looked more dangerous in the early stages of the second half. It was Timo Becker who threw himself in front of a shot from Steven Skrzybski, before Malick Thiaw was called into action to block an effort from Patrick Erras on the rebound (53’). Not long afterwards, Simon Terodde was also involved defensively as he got in front of a dangerous attempt from Finn Bartels (54’). Just two minutes later, Bartels found Alexander Mühling with a cross, forcing Michael Langer into a good save (56’). With an hour on the clock, Mühling went close again as he fired just over the crossbar from 15 yards out.

Bülter makes it 3-0

Schalke were able to weather the storm and then effectively killed the game off in the 67th minute. Marius Bülter won the ball from Hauke Wahl down the right, drove into the box and beat the keeper with a low drive for S04’s third. Six minutes after that, it could have been four for Grammozis’ men. Bülter again dribbled towards goal and played it to Mehmet Can Aydin. Instead of shooting from a great position, he looked to square it to Terodde, but the pass was cut out.

Substitute Joshua Mees had two chances for Kiel in the closing stages, initially missing a header (76’) and then curling a left-footed strike onto the post (83’). There were no further goals, meaning Schalke could celebrate a 3-0 win on the road.

DFB-Pokal first round at Villingen

Up next for Schalke is the first round of the DFB-Pokal next Sunday (8/8). The Royal Blues will take on fifth-tier side FC 08 Villingen away from home at 15:30 CEST.