Dimitrios Grammozis: Not happy with the result

Head coaches Dimitrios Grammozis and Aliaksei Shpileuski analysed Friday’s 1-1 draw at the VELTINS-Arena in a joint press conference. Malick Thiaw also spoke to the media after the game against Aue.

Dimitrios Grammozis:

We’re not happy with this result. We had high hopes before the game and we tried out a new system because we were facing a side that likes to play long balls. We did really well in the first half. We made them do a lot of running and got deep into their half on several occasions. After that, we took the foot of the gas a bit. We were lacking sharp passes and that confidence. Aue, on the other hand, gained confidence due to some sloppy balls from us. It would have been really tough for them if we’d carried on playing like we did in the first half. We now need to look at what we did well so we can perform like that over 90 minutes next time out. We know that no side in this league will gift us points – it’s an incredibly hard-fought division.

Aliaksei Shpileuski:

We’re really, really happy about the point. We weren’t at the races in the first half, and Schalke played extremely well. We didn’t do enough really. Our runs forward weren’t what we wanted, and we were sloppy on the break. We made some minor changes for the second half and did a lot better. Overall, we deserved to get a draw.

Malick Thiaw:

The result is really disappointing. We started well and created some good chances, whilst remaining compact at the back. A 1-0 lead is never safe. We didn’t score a second goal, despite trying to. Aue waited for their chance and then took it. It’s really gutting.

Dimitrios Grammozis: Not happy with the result