Roberto Di Matteo must have struck the right chords at half-time in the Benteler-Arena on Wednesday (17/12), because his team returned with a completely different attitude to the second half. Until then, most of the highlights in the match came courtesy of SC Paderborn 07.
"The coach made it quite clear that we couldn't go on like that," reveals Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who gave Schalke a somewhat flattering equaliser just before the break. This, as well as the difficult pitch conditions, were just side notes after 90 minutes, when Schalke joyfully approached the away fan stand where the S04 faithful – just like they had done against Stuttgart and Maribor recently – were able to celebrate three points with the team.
"The pitch wasn't suitable for a team that wants to play football. But that's what we attempted in first half. It was only in the second half when we accepted the fight that you have to adopt to here," Horst Heldt explained afterwards. "It was a hard fought victory, but a very important one," added Dennis Aogo. "Paderborn deserve respect." The promoted side made life tough for Schalke over 90 minutes, the midfielder commented.
"They had some opportunities, we had some opportunities," summarized Heldt. "If someone talks about this being a lucky victory, I would answer: 'We are taking the three points home.' Not a lot of teams have managed to do this here." Indeed only Borussia Mönchengladbach were able to celebrate an away triumph prior to Schalke.
The moment leading up to the decisive goal was certainly no fluke. Roman Neustädter's header handing Schalke a 2-1 victory came from one of the long throw-ins by Christian Fuchs. "Finally it worked out," the Austrian international, who practices his throw-ins regularly, said after the game.
"I was lying in wait for the defender to misjudge the ball so I could get to it. Then I headed it onwards and hoped it would land in the back of the net," Neustädter remembered later. And Choupo-Moting added: "We wanted to make a statement immediately and put up a big fight. We are FC Schalke 04 and can't afford to lose so many direct duels."
Meanwhile Klaas-Jun Huntelaar spoke of "some very important" points and gave credit to the Schalke fans who travelled to Paderborn on a workday evening. "I want to thank all fans for the great support. I am looking forward to seeing them on Saturday in the VELTINS-Arena."
The first half of the season comes to a close with the match against Hamburger SV on Saturday (20/12). For Choupo-Moting it's an encounter with his former club. "By now I am so professional that it's not a special occasion for me anymore," the Hamburg born attacker said. "At HSV all of the people with major roles, both players and officials, have changed. The only aspect which then still stands is that I am playing against the club from my home town." Regardless, there is only one obvious goal. Choupo-Moting: "We want to win."
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