FC Schalke 04: 5 players who must shine against Union Berlin
![BREMEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 23: Matija Nastasic of FC Schalke 04 controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04 at Wohninvest Weserstadion on November 23, 2019 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) BREMEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 23: Matija Nastasic of FC Schalke 04 controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Schalke 04 at Wohninvest Weserstadion on November 23, 2019 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/67fbedd24750a26ab9a420718da14bad19090d8182de81ab2508c36c28a9c83b.jpg)
FW Benito Raman
Belgium international Benito Raman has been a sensation for Schalke in the team’s last two games. He assisted Daniel Caligiuri and nearly set up Amine Harit for a goal in the Royal Blues’ 3-3 draw with rivals Fortuna Dusseldorf before the break, and Raman bested that display with his most notable performance in a Schalke kit last weekend.
Raman was splendid against Werder, scoring once and assisting Harit for the opener in the 2-1 victory. He is one of Schalke’s best athletes and is a hard-working forward who has been excelling as a wide man despite also emerging as the Royal Blues’ primary goal-scoring threat behind Harit.
It’s been wonderful to watch Raman emerge as Harit’s partner-in-crime over recent weeks, and he and the Morocco international should have no trouble getting on the scoresheet again on Friday.
CAM Amine Harit
Amine Harit now has six goals in 12 Bundesliga games and continues to stake his claim for being the best No. 10 in the league right now. He has been sublime on the ball, industrious off it, and has shown he is capable of setting up teammates with creative passes.
The Raman and Harit connection will continue to be worth watching closely in coming matches, as the young attacking stars have shown burgeoning chemistry since Raman’s Bundesliga breakout performance a few weeks ago against Dusseldorf.
On Matchday 13, Harit could be the deciding factor at the Veltins Arena again. If this game against Union Berlin comes down to the wire, Harit could prove to be the difference. There isn’t a single player in Union’s midfield that can contend with Harit’s trickery and off-ball intelligence, and he should be able to press someone into a critical mistake at least once.