FC Schalke 04 center back Matija Nastasic had only just returned from an Achilles’ injury, but he was out of the starting XI against Bayer Leverkusen with a recent knee injury.
It didn’t seem like Matija Nastasic picked up another injury in last week’s late 2-1 win over Union Berlin. In fact, the FC Schalke 04 center back looked solid for a second straight game upon his return from an Achilles’ injury, even making a goal-saving block early in the game to rescue an error by star goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
At Friday’s press conference before Schalke’s huge Matchday 14 tilt at the BayArena against Bayer Leverkusen, manager David Wagner spoke about Nastastic’s status. He mentioned the Serbian international suffered a knee injury, but the way he described the injury, it seemed minor.
Wagner also said Nastasic would be expected to play on Saturday against Leverkusen.
💬 #Wagner on the squad for tomorrow: "Matija got a knock on the back of his knee, but it's nothing serious. I think he should be alright to play tomorrow. We are only without our long-term absentees now."#s04 | #B04S04 pic.twitter.com/7MDBYqFxjq
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) December 6, 2019
However, Nastasic is a no-go for this game between two of the Bundesliga’s best clubs. Instead, it looks like Weston McKennie will be in the starting lineup as Ozan Kabak’s center back partner again.
Our XI to face @bayer04_en this evening 📋#s04 | #B04S04 pic.twitter.com/qkNbE447Lo
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) December 7, 2019
It’s a tough blow for Schalke against a Bayer team that is loaded with attacking options like superstar Kai Havertz, the underrated Kevin Volland, the even more underrated Lucas Alario, Bundesliga veteran Karim Bellarabi, and last week’s star man against Bayern Leon Bailey.
But McKennie has looked good at center back this season, as he played there when all of Benjamin Stambouli, Salif Sane, and Nastasic were out. Meanwhile, Kabak is the perfect partner, as he’s looked like a world-class player at 19 over the past four weeks since starting.
The good news is that Nastasic should be back soon, and perhaps he will be ready for next week’s game against Eintracht Frankfurt. Schalke have another tough game a few days after Eintracht, as they will face VFL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Nastasic has been solid this season when in the lineup, so losing him for more games would be a tough blow. Schalke have two great center back duos in Sane-Stambouli or Kabak-Nastasic, and Kabak-McKennie is pretty good as well. But with the first two men already out with significant injuries, it’d be nice to have Nastasic back in short time.