2-2 vs. Zürich: S04 concede late equaliser

22 players feature for S04

Head coach Thomas Reis used 22 players during the friendly. New signing Jere Uronen, whose transfer was officially confirmed just hours before kick-off, did not feature. Instead, the Finland international competed an individual session. Niklas Tauer, another winter arrival, was also left out of the squad as a precaution after having to cut training short this week. 

Solid chances on both ends

The Royal Blues got off to a swift start, nearly netting the opener in the fourth minute. Brunner sent a sharp cross into the box, but Sebastian Polter’s shot from 11 metres out went wide of the left post. 

Zürich first threatened in the 10th minute, as Roko Simic redirected a header on goal after a free kick from the left side, but his effort sailed over the bar. Down the other end, it was Kenan Karaman’s turn to have an effort on goal, but Zivko Kostadinovic was easily able to parry it (14’). Polter was then taken off with a knock after contesting an aerial duel, with Andreas Ivan coming on to replace him.  

In the 25th minute, it was Zürich who took the lead through Nikola Katic. He connected with a free-kick from Adria Guerrero to slot home the opener from close range. Karaman nearly equalised immediately for the Royal Blues, but his shot went just wide of the right post. 

The Royal Blues struggled to create chances against an opponent that defended well and closed down any spaces up front. 

Kozuki and Terodde score just after the restart

Reis brought on 10 new players at the break, with only Ivan remaining on the pitch from those who had featured in the first half. Three minutes after the restart, he nearly set up Terodde for an equaliser but he was unable to connect fully with the ball. 

Schalke then drew level in the 52nd minute as Soichiro Kozuki scored in his fourth straight friendly. The midfielder placed a low shot into the bottom left corner, with Tobias Mohr providing the assist. Just five minutes later, the Royal Blues took the lead as Terodde headed in an Aydin cross. The move was one the team had worked on perfecting in training in recent days. 

Terodde nearly added another goal to his tally in the 70th minute, but Kostadinovic was able to claw his header out of the air. 

Zürich’s attack faltered in the second half, with Michael Langer left with little to do between the sticks. However, the defending Swiss champions were able to rescue a draw after being awarded a late penalty in the 89th minute. Aydin brought down Aiyegun Tosin inside the box, as Jonathan Okita scored to make it 2-2.

Another friendly in Belek

The Royal Blues will play another friendly in Belek on Tuesday (10/1) against 1. FC Nürnberg (13:30 CET). Their final friendly before the Bundesliga restarts will be against Werder Bremen at the VELTINS-Arena on Saturday, 14th January (15:30 CET).