Hoewedes hammers Schalke errors

Schalke defender Benedikt Hoewedes branded his team’s mistakes ‘unprofessional’ after conceding late on to draw 2-2 with Montpellier.

Schalke recovered from going behind early in Wednesday’s match to lead 2-1 at home to the Ligue 1 title-holders in Group B of the Champions League.

With the visitors reduced to 10 men by the sending off of Souleymane Camara seven minutes into the second half, Schalke looked firmly on course to bag all three points at the Veltins-Arena.

But Garry Bocaly netted a 90th-minute equaliser for Montpellier, leaving Hoewedes infuriated at his team’s inability to retain their lead.

“Of course the result is really bitter,” he said.

“We’ve been the better team. We didn’t use our chances after we led 2-1. And then they tied the game in the last minute. That is just stupid.

“That shouldn’t happen to our professional team. The same thing just happened to us three days ago when we played Duesseldorf. We were doing the same mistakes again,” he said, after Schalke gave up a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at promoted Duesseldorf on Friday.

Next up for Schalke is a trip to face English Premier League side Arsenal, who number Germany internationals Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker among their ranks.

“Of course it would be good to have already six points before we’ll face Arsenal,” Hoewedes said.

“But with four points we are in a good position in this Champions League group.

“We do have a chance to beat Arsenal. We don’t have to be scared to play in London. I will call Per and will have a chat with him. But again: We really want to win this game.”

After a slow start to their Ligue 1 title defence and a home loss to Arsenal on matchday one, Montpellier Remy Cabella said it was a great feeling to salvage a point.

“We only had 10 men and they had the ball, but we gave everything, all that we had,” Cabella said.

“We scored that second goal and frankly it felt good and I think it will gives us confidence for the upcoming weeks.

“It’s true that last year against Lille it was a beautiful feeling to win the title but tonight it’s different, it’s the champions league. And that goal was really good, we tried really hard to get it.”