Dhe FC Schalke 04 has ended its weak away series and is in contact with the promotion ranks in the second division. Coach Dimitrios Grammozis’ team beat FC Erzgebirge Aue 5-0 (2-0) on Saturday and celebrated their first away win since mid-October. Simon Terodde (36th minute) and Andreas Vindheim (38th) put the guests on course for victory. In front of 1000 spectators, Danny Latza (51./63) made the preliminary decision with a brace, Marvin Pieringer (72.) made the final score.
In view of the recently lost points, Grammozis had demanded a strong performance from his team “over 90 minutes”, “not just over 55”. Until the double strike by Terodde and Vindheim, it was initially a fairly balanced game on a battered pitch. Only a low ball from the debutant Vindheim caused chaos in the penalty area, Terodde somehow got the ball and scored the deserved lead. Two minutes later, the picture is reversed: Terodde gets the ball in a transition situation, sends Vindheim, and the Norwegian thrashes the ball into the goal. For the 26-year-old, it was the perfect debut in the Royal Blues jersey. The national player was only signed on January 10 by the top Czech club Sparta Prague.
“I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start, I’m just happy that I could help the team with my flanks,” said Vindheim on Sky: “We have every chance of promotion, that’s the goal of the club and my personal goal.”
In injury time in the first half, referee Arne Arnink took back a hand penalty given to Schalke after video evidence. Shortly after the restart, the Bundesliga relegated gave the hosts the next setback. Substitute Latza was in the right place in the penalty area and only had to put his foot down to score the third goal after Pieringer provided the lead.
The 32-year-old was allowed to do it again twelve minutes later, Latza headed in completely unchallenged after a cross from Vindheim. Pieringer also scored his second goal of the season after Vindheim had put the ball into the penalty area again. The Norwegian had set up three goals and scored one himself – an outstanding result.
With their first win in six weeks, Schalke (34 points) is now in fourth place and, together with Werder Bremen in third place (35) and fifth-placed Hamburger SV (34), form a prominent field of pursuers. At the top are Darmstadt 98 (39) and FC St. Pauli (37).
