3-1 win over KAS Eupen thanks to Terodde and Idrizi

Lasme makes his return

Karel Geraerts made just one change from the team that lost 3-2 to VfL Wolfsburg at the Estádio Algarve last week. Ron Schallenberg came into the side in central midfield for Paul Seguin, who missed out with a cold.

Bryan Lasme made his return during the second half, coming on in the 65th minute. The attacker, who was unavailable due to muscular problems at the end of 2023, trained with the team during the training camp in Albufeira but wasn’t able to feature in the previous friendlies against Wolfsburg and Recreativo Huelva. 19 players got minutes in the final game before league football returns next weekend.

Two good moves give Schalke the lead at the break

Schalke took control from the first whistle at a cold VELTINS-Arena and gave the home fans something to cheer about early on in the game. A fine move from the Royal Blues ended in Kenan Karaman squaring it for his captain Simon Terodde, and S04’s number 9 had the simple job of finding an empty net from a few yards out. It was the striker’s third goal during the winter friendlies.

S04 doubled their lead in the 19th minute from another nice move. Keke Topp passed to Simon Terodde and he played it first time through to Blendi Idrizi. The Kosovan then smashed it past the keeper from a few yards out for 2-0.

The next chance came after 26 minutes. Karaman gave it to Terodde in the box, who turned and then pulled the trigger. His shot was slightly deflected, though Eupen goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was still untroubled. The Belgian first-division side, coached by former Bundesliga boss Florian Kohfeldt (spells with Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg), had their first shot shortly after that. Gary Magnee’s effort from 20 yards out proved to be harmless and was easily blocked.

Eupen failed to cause S04’s compact defence any real issues in the first half. Their only other shot came via Amadou Keita in the 45th minute, however it flew well over the bar. At the other end, Kenan Karaman dribbled past a defender and then fired past the far post (35’).

Terodde scores from the spot

The visitors were better in the second half and had more of the ball and more chances too. They first threatened in the 49th minute, but Renaud Emond couldn’t keep his shot down from the edge. S04 goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann was called into action five minutes later, tipping Magnee’s powerful shot from distance past the post. He also denied former FC Augsburg man Alfred Finnbogason (59’).

It took a while for the Knappen to put together a good attack in the second period, but that wait ended in a third goal. Thomas Ouwejan and Tobias Mohr played a nice one-two down the left, with the Dutchman then driving into the box and winning a penalty after a tackle from Aleksandr Filin. Captain Terodde stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way (62’).

Eupen got a consolation goal in the 69th minute following a misplaced pass at the back by Schalke. Finnbogason got in behind and left Fährmann with no chance. Two minutes later, Jason Davidson fired one towards goal on his left foot. Tomas Kalas made a crucial block to divert it wide for a corner.

Bryan Lasme almost got a fourth for the Royal Blues in the closing stages, cannoning a shot off the outside of the post from an extremely tight angle. Fellow substitute Dominick Drexler had the final notable effort of the afternoon, clearing the bar from outside the box.

League action returns with home game against HSV

S04’s first competitive game of 2024 is at home at the VELTINS-Arena. Hamburger SV are the visitors next Saturday (20/1) at 20:30 CET. HSV won the reverse fixture 5-3 on the opening day of the season.