Terodde: We had it in our hands

In the 61st minute, eight minutes after HSV had found an equaliser through Robert Glatzel’s rebound, and six minutes after Thomas Ouweian broke through on the opposition goal, only to be denied impressively by goalkeeper Daniel Heuer Fernandes. The second goal seemed to be within Schalke’s grasp, and came even closer just after the hour mark.

Hitting the woodwork turns the game

Left-back Ouwejan was involved again, sending a corner to the far post from the right. Simon Terodde was perfectly positioned and headed goalwards. Heuer Fernandes was on hand again to deflect round the post. The striker did not give up and looked to restore his side’s lead, but his three more shots at goal proved fruitless. Rebounding off the post, the ball was eventually cleared by HSV defenders.

“That’s the way football goes. You miss by centimetres,” said the 33-year-old on the game, before adding: “At that moment in the game we simply had to score. We had it in our hands.” Terodde’s words are understandable; the Royal Blues created significantly more chances than the visitors from the north throughout the game. But Terodde’s effort striking the post didn’t provide any relief for his side. On the other hand, HSV increased their pressure and proved to be more clinical.

Goalkeeper Michael Langer, who was replacing Ralf Fährmann (ruled out with Covid-19), analysed the game similarly: „In the second half, we didn’t get any more space after the 65th minute, and we lacked pressure on the ball. Hamburg did well from that point on, too.“ The visitors were able to seal the win in the closing stages of the game. „Hamburg were ice-cold, despite the fact that we had the better chances. The defeat is a really tough one,“ Terodde summed up.

Defeat in the opening game is a painful one for the team, but shortly after the final whistle, heads were lifted again. The outstanding atmosphere in the Veltins-Arena, created by 19,770 spectators, made a strong impression. „It was an unbelievable atmosphere today,“ said Langer at full time, looking ahead to the next games: „We have worked hard and worked well for the past six weeks. The one game doesn’t ruin that for us, it just spurs us on even more.“