Terodde brace secures S04 all three points in Dresden

Ouwejan, Latza and Kaminski start

Head coach Mike Büskens made three changes to the line-up that won 2-1 against Hannover 96 last time out. Thomas Ouwejan, who had missed the last three league games due to muscle issues, returned to the XI, as did Danny Latza (Covid-19) and Marcin Kaminski (yellow-card suspension). Kerim Calhanoglu and Victor Pálsson were on the bench, while Rodrigo Zalazar was left out of the squad due to a bruised foot.

First chances from range

For the first time in over two years, a sold-out crowd of more than 30,000 packed into the Rudolf-Harbig Stadion, as the hosts dominated the opening minutes. Dresden needed just four minutes to record their first chance on goal, as Michael Akoto took aim from 25 metres out, sending the ball over the bar. Four minutes later, Danny Latza had a go from a similar distance but Dynamo keeper Kevin Broll was able to make the save.

A slip-up from Marius Lode allowed Oliver Batista Meier to win the ball at the edge of the box, but Martin Fraisl was able to intercept it (12’). Down the other end, Latza played through to Simon Terodde, but his shot from the right side of the box was parried by Broll (16’).

Terodde opens the scoring from the spot

The Royal Blues struggled to create chances in the first half, as Dresden narrowly missed an opportunity to take the lead in the 26th minute. Paul Will let loose a shot from 22 metres out, as Kaminski deflected it onto the left post. Five minutes later, Fraisl did well to deal with a cross from Akoto that sailed further than expected. With half-time looming, Chris Löwe looked to beat Fraisl with a shot from outside the box, but Malick Thiaw was in the right place to block it.

Instead, it was the visitors who would take a late lead with them into the dressing room. Broll found Tim Knipping, as Dominick Drexler won the ball off him and passed it to Terodde, who was brought down in the box by Will. Schalke’s top goalscorer stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted home the club’s first penalty of the season into the bottom right corner, sending Broll the wrong way (45’).

Terodde bags a brace

Schalke got off to a promising start in the second half, as Marius Bülter cut a pass back to Drexler, but he wasn’t able to connect fully with the ball (49’). Two minutes later, Schalke were once again celebrating after the ball landed in the back of the net – again through Terodde. Thiaw won the ball and immediately found Drexler down the right wing, who sent a cross into the box. Terodde was in the right place, rising highest to send a looping header past Broll to double the lead.

The Royal Blues began dominating play from that point onwards, nearly making it 3-0 in the 59th minute. Itakura had the vision to find Ouwejan making a run into the back post, and sent in a long cross, but the Dutchman headed it just over the bar. Dresden’s Batista Meier then sent a shot over the bar from inside the box (64’). Bülter and Darko Churlinov then combined to find their way into the box, but Bülter’s shot only hit the side netting (67’).

Will cuts the deficit for Dresden

With 20 minutes left to play, Will managed to cut the deficit for Dresden, heading in a free kick from seven metres out.

The goal revitalised Dresden, as they continued to press in search of another. Kerim Calhanoglu was fortunate to not net an own goal as he accidentally redirected a shot towards the Schalke net. The closing minutes were a hectic back-and-forth, with the last chance of the game falling to Dresden’s Morris Schröter, but his shot was blocked by Thiaw as the Royal Blues were able to hang onto their lead until the final whistle.

Next up: Heidenheim

Next weekend, S04 will host 1. FC Heidenheim at home on Saturday, 9th April (13:30 CEST).