ST Benito Raman
Although Benito Raman struggled alongside Mark Uth in last week’s last-gasp, Amine Harit-inspired 3-2 win over Augsburg, it was good to see David Wagner place faith in the Belgian forward. Raman can be a big part of Schalke’s future plans in attack, especially since Uth and Guido Burgstaller have clearly shown that younger and more dynamic options are needed in the front line.
Facing his former club, Raman certainly looked dynamic and inventive on Saturday. He assisted Daniel Caligiuri’s goal with a brilliant one-two that the veteran midfielder converted wonderfully, and he nearly set up Harit for a goal with a delicious low cross.
Raman created several chances for himself, linking up particularly well with Harit from midfield. He gave Zack Steffen quite a few issues in goal and genuinely looked like a threatening lone striker for Schalke, which is something they’ve sorely been missing this season.
This was Raman’s best Bundesliga performance in a Schalke shirt, as he carried the positive momentum from last week’s brace against Arminia Bielefeld in the DFB Pokal.
For Raman, the big key will be finding consistency, especially when it comes to that killer instinct in front of goal. Right now, few can question his pace, athletic ability, and positive link-up play.