FC Schalke 04: 5 things we learned from 2-1 win over Union Berlin

4. Benito Raman can’t do it alone

Benito Raman has been on fire over the past three games for Schalke 04. First, he set up a goal for Daniel Caligiuri against Fortuna Dusseldorf and nearly had another assist for Amine Harit. Then last week, he led Schalke to a 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen by assisting Harit and scoring a goal himself.

Raman added another goal to his tally on Friday against Union Berlin, hammering home from the top of the box after a second delicious delivery from left back Bastian Oczipka. The goal was a wonderful half-volley from Raman, and it was crucial in Schalke’s narrow win.

But Raman wasn’t necessarily consistent in this game, especially in comparison to his efforts against Fortuna and Werder. Raman’s touch and technique failed him at times, though he did, as usual, work incredibly hard for his team.

Raman is a key part of the forward solution for Wagner’s Schalke, but the manager still needs to find someone else up top who can get into better goal-scoring positions. While Raman is a good player and a legitimate threat, Die Knappen need more of a pure No. 9 as his partner.

5. Harit is the difference-maker

Amine Harit is the most clutch player in the Bundesliga right now, and he is now sitting on six goals and three assists through 13 Matchdays. The assists should start to come thick and fast now that Benito Raman and others are producing in the attack, because Harit’s quality of passing has never been in question.

I don’t think the FOX commentary team gave Harit enough due for his performance today. He worked so hard on the ball to create chances, weaving and turning cleverly while drawing a bevy of dangerous free kicks with his skills. He frustrated Union all night long, and he, again, came up big in the final 10 minutes of the game by making no mistake on the counterattack with his deft assist for Suat Serdar. Harit knows exactly when to time his simple but effective passes.

Harit finished the game with two key passes, an 88% passing completion percentage, and five fouls drawn. He is Schalke’s difference-maker and knows how to shine in the biggest moments. This man is absolute class on the pitch.