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FC Schalke 04: 5 things we learned from 2-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen

By Kevin Parvizi

07 December 2019, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leverkusen: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen - FC Schalke 04, 14th matchday in the BayArena. Schalkes Ozan Kabak (r) and Schalkes Weston McKennie are on the court after the match. Photo: Guido Kirchner/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Guido Kirchner/picture alliance via Getty Images)
07 December 2019, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leverkusen: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen - FC Schalke 04, 14th matchday in the BayArena. Schalkes Ozan Kabak (r) and Schalkes Weston McKennie are on the court after the match. Photo: Guido Kirchner/dpa - IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga or the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or the match in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo sequences. (Photo by Guido Kirchner/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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Schalke CAM Amine Harit
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – DECEMBER 07: Amine Harit of FC Schalke 04 looks dejected following his sides defeat in the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04 at BayArena on December 07, 2019 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

4. Relying too much on Harit for quality

Amine Harit has been sensational this season, and he usually provides a crucial goal or pass to a goal/assist at the end of games when Schalke need it. Last week, he had the winning assist for Suat Serdar against Union Berlin, and he had the killer pass that led to Raman’s late goal against Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday.

The problem is that Harit wasn’t consistent on Matchday 14. Although he won five dribbles, per WhoScored.com, and did his best to threaten Bayer’s defense, his final ball was sorely lacking. When his pass did make its mark, it led to a goal.

But the issue is that Schalke rely too much on Harit for both creativity and goals. Raman has stepped up lately as a scorer and Serdar has to a lesser extent, too, but one more piece is needed. Hopefully, Kutucu can be the answer and will get a chance to prove it.

5. Another strong game for Kabak

Like the rest of Schalke’s defense, Ozan Kabak didn’t have the best first 45 minutes. He had a couple of hazy moment positionally, which is uncharacteristic for him, and made some loose passes, including one that Leon Bailey intercepted dangerously.

But by the end of the game, Kabak can say that he was the best defender on the pitch. He had three tackles, two interceptions, seven clearances, and a blocked shot, as he made so many crucial interventions to keep Schalke’s hopes alive in the second half.

Next. FC Schalke vs. Bayer Leverkusen Player Ratings. dark

With Weston McKennie not playing his natural position and making the typical positional errors that a non-CB would make, Kabak would often be the only man defending. He made an INSANE last-ditch tackle to save a goal from Nadiem Amiri that should be on highlight reels everywhere, expertly slowed down Moussa Diaby on a counterattack, and made a couple of goal-saving clearances that led to a pat on the back from captain Alexander Nubel.

Kabak has been Schalke’s best player over the last three weeks, and even in defeat, he deserves words of praise.

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