Schöpf scores in injury time – S04 beat Lokomotiv 1-0

Teuchert comeback, Goller and Kutucu make their debuts

Cedric Teuchert returned to action after two months injured. The U21s international came into the side for Guido Burgstaller, who went off with a muscular problem in the derby on Saturday. The Austrian will not feature for Schalke again in 2018.

There were seven more changes to the side that faced Dortmund at the weekend. Hamza Mendyl, Omar Mascarell, Suat Serdar, Yevhen Konoplyanka, Benjamin Stambouli, Naldo and Benjamin Goller all start the game, with Goller making his professional debut. Bastian Oczipka, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Rudy, Daniel Caligiuri, Nabil Bentaleb, Salif Sané und Amine Harit all dropped out of the starting XI.

Ahmed Kutucu, another product of the Schalke youth academy, also made his senior debut in the second half, replacing Cedric Teuchert in the 72nd minute.

No action in the penalty areas

The first half lacked any real talking points, with the majority of the game being played in the centre of the pitch. The most notable moment came after 15 minutes, when Dmitri Barinov fouled Hamza Mendyl, who subsequently had to be substituted for Abdul Rahman Baba.

The Royal Blues had more control of the game, but couldn’t find that final ball to create a serious chance. Lokomotiv had one good chance before the break – Igor Denisov’s shot inside the penalty area just cleared the crossbar.

Huge celebrations in added time

It didn’t take long for chances to come in the second half. Three minutes in, Yehven Konoplyanka saw his shot blocked by keeper Guilherme. Cedric Teuchert then had a chance from a Konoplyanka cross, but couldn’t quite get the right amount of contact on his shot. Lokomotiv then cleared a dangerous looking pass to Alessandro Schöpf in the 52nd minute. Ralf Fährmann was then called into action at the other end, denying Anton Miranchuk with his fist.

Guilherme came up with another good save after the hour mark. The goalkeeper, who was born in Brazil but has since gained Russian citizenship, blocked Konoplyanka’s effort at the back post. Suat Serdar also failed to make the most of a good chance to take the lead. Schalke’s number eight found himself on the edge of the box but Guilherme was there once again to make the save. Serdar was involved in the next attack as he could not quite get enough contact on a cross by Naldo with the goal gaping with Matija Nastasic lurking at the back post.

The game looked as though it was heading towards 0-0 draw but the home side had other ideas. Guilherme saved once again from Serdar however there was a different outcome this time. Alessandro Schöpf was there to fire in the rebound to give Schalke a 1-0 win.

Draw on the 17th December

Schalke will find out their opponents for the round of 16 on Monday. The draw will take place in the UEFA headquarters in Nyon.

Schalke will be back in Bundesliga action two days before the draw on Saturday against FC Augsburg. Kick off is 15:30.