Terodde nets the equaliser in 1-1 draw with Recreativo Huelva

23 players feature

Head coach Karel Geraerts made several changes to the starting line-up following last Saturday’s friendly against VfL Wolfsburg. Niklas Castelle, Jimmy Kaparos and Steven van der Sloot (all from the U23s) as well as Vitalie Becker (U19) all started the match. Max Grüger, also from the U19s, came on after half an hour for Lino Tempelmann. Geraerts made 10 changes in the 59th minute, replacing all the outfield players. He also subbed out goalkeeper Michael Langer at half time, bringing on Justin Heekeren. As a result, a total of 23 players were able to feature for the Royal Blues today.

Schalke hit the post, Huelva open the scoring

The Royal Blues enjoyed the majority of possession from the start, but the first chance of the game belonged to the Spanish side. José Antonio de la Rosa was able to get off a shot from the left-hand side of the penalty box, with Iago Diaz waiting at the far post, but he narrowly missed getting a foot to it (7′). The Royal Blues came close in the 14th minute, as van der Sloot saw his shot get pushed wide of the left post by goalkeeper Guillermo Centurion.

Caye Quintana was able to open the scoring for Huelva in the 20th minute, capitalising on a mistake in the build-up from Geraerts’ side. Becker had an opportunity to equalise at the hour-mark, but his effort from the left side flew wide of the far post. Two minutes later, Kaparos also had a chance to score after winning the ball and attempting a shot from 18 metres out. His effort landed just wide of the right post – it would remain the last real chance for either side in the first half.

Terodde finishes off assist from Topp

Schalke changed goalkeepers at the start of the second half, with Heekeren coming in for Langer. Derry John Murkin was able to pick out Castelle just five minutes into the second half, but the latter’s shot from the edge of the area missed the target. Geraerts brought on 10 new outfield players at the hour-mark, as the Royal Blues began to dominate the match again. Keke Topp missed the target with a shot in the 73rd minute, with Tobias Mohr having also attempted a shot minutes before.

Terodde was then able to bring the Royal Blues back on level terms, slotting home a low cross into the box from Topp (78′). Minutes later, Mohr nearly helped Schalke take the lead, but his shot from range missed the target (85′). Instead, the final whistle soon blew on a 1-1 draw between the two sides.

Friendly against KAS Eupen

Following their return to Germany, FC Schalke 04 have one final friendly left to play before their return to competitive action. The Royal Blues will host Belgian first-division side KAS Eupen at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday (13/1, 13:30 CET).