“If you get 1-1 just before the end, then you actually collapse”, summed up the completely hoarse 34-year-old, who protected Schalke’s chances of promotion with his (second) golden goal of the day in the 91st minute. And a few sentences later he was impressed by the party-mad S04 fans who had turned the away game into what felt like a home game: “They’re still singing.”
“Simon on fire”: Schalke celebrates Terodde and championship lead
There was also singing in the dressing room. Schalke shared the details in moving images on social media. “Simon on Fire” roared the Gelsenkirchen pros, who knew exactly who they owed to regaining the top of the table. And tested the Sandhäuser cabin wing for soundproofing.
Interim coach Mike Büskens, who was also euphoric, did not want to attribute the success solely to Terodde, who has now scored in the fifth game in a row and has already scored 27 goals: “Simon has an incredibly good degree. But he also knows that he has good teammates who put him in the limelight.”, said the 54-year-old. Schalke would have 17 points less this season without the Terodde goals.
Thanks to Terodde’s brace in this uncomfortable game at SVS, the Knappen now go into the last two games of the season with a two-point lead. Also because the competition failed. SV Werder Bremen, who had duped Schalke 4-1 in their own arena last weekend, lost to Holstein Kiel after leading due to two own goals. And Nuremberg missed St. Pauli in added time to make it 1-1.
Co-match winner Churlinov runs hot against Diekmeier
The fact that Schalke were the big beneficiaries on Friday was also due to Darko Churlinov. The North Macedonian replaced the suspended Dominick Drexler. In the meantime, the rather petite technician had problems with physical assertion against the burly sand houses, was also statistically pressed most intensely by the Schalke core and put under pressure in the first half.
But he worked his way into it – Churlinov finally overheated after a duel with Sandhausen’s later goalscorer Dennis Diekmeier on the outside line. He celebrated loudly with clenched fists and a thump on the chest that he got the throw-in. And finally he shook Schalke up with his post hit which became the assist for Terodde’s first goal.
The fact that the 21-year-old left foot performed this direct acceptance with his right hand, after he had often walked around his much weaker foot this season, was a remarkable side note. And at least suggests that he was explicitly encouraged to do so by the coaching team.
Büskens: “We have to keep the tension high”
“We have to keep the tension high”, said Büskens after the game with a view to the final tasks. The 54-year-old, who at this moment was also carefully slowing himself down a bit, warned: “We haven’t achieved anything yet.”
If everything goes for Schalke, however, the dream of direct promotion could become reality next weekend. Then the top game against fellow competitor FC St. Pauli is coming up for S04 (Saturday, 8.30 p.m.).