Alexander Schwolow: To get a clean sheet feels really good

In the 29th minute, Schwolow tipped a shot from Paulo Otavio over the crossbar, in the second half the Schalke shot stopper twice made key interventions to deny Ridle Baku (68’, 85’). On Saturday afternoon, six of a total 16 shots from the hosts were on target, with Schwolow equal to the challenge on every occasion. “To get a clean sheet feels really good,” said Schwolow with a smile on his face. “To not concede is the nicest feeling for a goalkeeper. Job done, which is fun.”

Understandably, winnings three points would have been even better than a clean sheet, but the keeper is content with a share of the spoils. Schwolow remarks critically that from the 60th minute the team allowed themselves to be put under pressure, “From that point it was wave after wave of them attacking, you hardly got any relief,” said the 30-year-old. After that, “with a bit of cleverness”, the team was able to get through this phase of pressure from the hosts and in the end managed to, “get across the line fairly confidently” to achieve a point.

Uplifting words for Terodde

Near the end of the first half, the Royal Blues could even have put themselves on course for a victory, but Simon Terodde twice found himself denied from the penalty spot by Wolfsburg keeper Koen Casteels. “The penalties are obviously unfortunate, but we will build Simon back up again,” said Schwolow and emphasised: “Without him we would not be here, so he doesn’t need to feel bad.”

All in all, the team competed well against Wolfsburg. “We have to keep going and take the positives with us,” said Schwolow, looking forward to the coming weeks and months. “If we get a clean sheet, then we’ve already got a point, and we just have to go one better up front – and I’ve got no worries about that.”