“If I were coach, he gets to take a third one.”

FC Schalke 04 striker Simon Terodde didn’t spare himself any criticism after missing two penalties during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Wolfsburg. 

Terodde’s sporting director nevertheless came to the 2. Bundesliga legend’s defense and praised the team’s performance in general.

Newly promoted FC Schalke 04 had a great chance to take a 1-0 lead into the dressing room at Wolfsburg on Saturday. Unfortunately, Simon Terodde couldn’t convert from the spot. The lifetime 2. Bundesliga striker actually goy two chances to do so. VfL keeper Koen Casteels saved Terodde’s initial weak effort, but match official Felix Zwayer ruled that the net-minder was off his line.
Terodde strode to the spot once again. To the consternation of many observers, the 34-year-old chose aimed for the same side. Casteels proved equal to Terodde’s attempt to fool with a repeat and saved again. The player obviously appeared a little crestfallen during his post-match interview before the Sky mics.

“I have to make that one, I’ll take responsibility,” Terodde said afterwards, “I know the situation. The first one he saves. The second repeats. In the end, I look like shit.”

“Fortunately, we didn’t lose in the end,” he continued, “But of course, a goal like that before the break would have really helped us. It’s hard for me when you miss two penalties as a striker. I think if we take a 1-0 lead, three points would have come from our solid defending. You have to take a chance like that.”

S04 sporting director Rouven Schröder- surely aware that all the talk of Terodde not being good enough to compete at German football’s highest level – immediately left to the attacker’s defense.

“It’s important to to take a match with such a penalty, but that’s not a reproach,” Schröder noted, “Simon is a very important player for us. I’m not the coach, but with if I were he’d be allowed a third chance. Next time, he’ll get it in.”

Schroder went on to note that, with the exception of some bucking during a 15-minute stretch late in the match, he felt that the team had generally performed well. Two draws and one loss through the first three rounds certainly puts the newly promoted side in a better position than they were during their disastrous 2020/21 relegation campaign.

“The guys absolutely deserved it,” Schröder said of the second consecutive draw.

More about the match

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