Deserved Draw After Slow Start

Gladbach had their moments, Schalke had theirs – neither team was completely dissatisfied with the score at the final whistle, a result which means Schalke remain third in the table, though Hoffenheim can overtake them with a win on Sunday. “I’m very pleased with the way we played,” said Domenico Tedesco after the game. “We were poor in the first 15 minutes, but then we got into the game and restricted Borussia to few chances. It was a deserved point after a committed team performance.” And it might have been three, but Yann Sommer pulled off a fine save to deny Guido Burgstaller right at the death. “We’re not displeased with a draw,” said the head coach.

The Royal Blues echoed their head coach’s words. “In Gladbach, you have to settle down and play your game if you want to take anything from the game,” said Daniel Caligiuri, whose low, hard cross was turned into his own goal by Jannik Vestergaard. “They are a team with a lot of quality – it was anything but an easy game.” It was the hosts who had taken the initiative and then the lead, “but we responded well after that and created our own chances,” thought Max Meyer. “Their goal acted as a bit of a wake-up call.”

It remained a frustrating goal to concede though “because it came from a set piece we should have dealt with,” said Naldo. “We have to be more concentrated there.” The Royal Blues set about their game after that, as the video assistant ruled out a goal for Gladbach before overturning a penalty for the hosts. The second situation in particular provoked confusion in the stadium. Caligiuri said, “I just asked the referee to have another look at it. I was surprised the referee didn’t blow his whistle after Oscar Wendt’s foul. “It would’ve been a penalty for Gladbach” without Wendt’s foul, added Naldo. “I definitely made contact in my challenge, but I’m honest about it,” he continued.

The Royal Blues eventually got the equaliser, nailing down their 26th point of the season. “We’re strong away from home this season. That wasn’t always the case in the past,” said Meyer. “I’m convinced we can start winning again after three draws in a row.” Next up for the Royal Blues is Augsburg at the VELTINS-Arena on Wednesday (20:30 CET).