Daniel Caligiuri scores superb half-volley opener against Dusseldorf (Video)
FC Schalke 04 found it difficult to break down Fortuna Dusseldorf’s defense in the first half-hour of the match, but brilliant combination play between midfielder Daniel Caligiuri and striker Benito Raman broke the deadlock.
Last week, Daniel Caligiuri came off the bench early in the match for a seriously injured Salif Sane and made the difference, creating both equalizing goals off indirect free kicks. On Matchday 11 against rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf, Caligiuri score da goal of his own for FC Schalke 04, setting the Veltins-Arena alight.
Over the first 30 minutes of the match, Caligiuri had been playing well, sending teasing balls to the likes of Jonjoe Kenny and Amine Harit that nearly resulted in goal-scoring opportunities. The technically proficient veteran couldn’t quite find the killer pass, but in the 33rd minute, he found a moment of magic to beat Fortuna’s star goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
Caligiuri collected a pass from defense with a brilliant first touch, flicking on to striker Benito Raman, who then fed Caligiuri back. After making a brilliant run to get into the penalty box, Caligirui showed off his technique with another great first touch and an even better finish on the half-volley to beat Steffen at the far post.
¡YA LO GANAN LOS DE CASA!#BundesligaxFOX Daniel Caligiuri baja muy bien dentro del área y con un disparo cruzado ya pone al frente en el marcador al Schalke 04 a 12 minutos del final pic.twitter.com/nykF9KFItz
— FOX Sports MX (@FOXSportsMX) November 9, 2019
That was a brilliant goal from the right midfielder, and it means Caligiuri has now scored his first goal of the 2019-2020 Bundesliga season just one week after recording his first assist of the campaign for Schalke.
Caligiuri is on an expiring contract, but there’s no doubt that the 31-year-old will be getting a new contract shortly. He is invaluable for Schalke as a well-rounded veteran who can set up teammates, play in defense or midfield, and, as he showed here, score goals.
dark. Next. Ready or not, here comes Ozan Kabak
The assist should also be praised, as it is Raman’s first assist for Schalke. He has yet to score in the Bundesliga, but the Belgian’s breakthrough goal should be coming shortly. After all, he bagged a brace last week in the DFB-Pokal to lift Schalke to a 3-2 win over Arminia Bielefeld.