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FC Schalke 04: 5 key players vs. Hertha in the DFB Pokal

By Kevin Parvizi

Schalke's Belgian forward Benito Raman celebrates scoring the opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Schalke 04 v Eintracht Frankfurt in Gelsenkirchen, on December 15, 2019. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Schalke's Belgian forward Benito Raman celebrates scoring the opening goal during the German first division Bundesliga football match Schalke 04 v Eintracht Frankfurt in Gelsenkirchen, on December 15, 2019. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Schalke FW Michael Gregoritsch
31 January 2020, Berlin: Football: Bundesliga, Hertha BSC – FC Schalke 04, 20th matchday in the Olympic Stadium. New arrival Michael Gregoritsch from Schalke pulls a face. Photo: Soeren Stache/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa – IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fußball-Bund, it is prohibited to exploit or have exploited in the stadium and/or from the game taken photographs in the form of sequence images and/or video-like photo series. (Photo by Soeren Stache/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

FW Michael Gregoritsch

Michael Gregoritsch played extremely well in his debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach, was abysmal the following week against Bayern, and had another dud of a performance on Friday night at the Olympiastadion.

Gregoritsch’s talent is clear to see, but he remains one of the Bundesliga’s most inconsistent players. The Austria international fails to play to his potential each week, but many of his problems seem to be more about being truly familiar with his teammates. He’ll often make runs that lead to blocked passing lanes, meaning his effort was fruitless. There are also times when he’s not aware of what his teammates are trying to do in tight spaces, so he’ll miss an opportunity for a one-two or a lay-off from Amine Harit.

This will all improve with time. Gregoritsch could be an X-Factor for Schalke in the DFB Pokal, including in this week’s game against Hertha. And you never know when he’ll find that moment of magic in front of goal.

CB Ozan Kabak

Schalke’s best player against both Bayern and Hertha, it is remarkable that a 19-year-old center back never has a bad game regardless of how poorly his teammates are playing. Ozan Kabak, along with Thorgan Hazard, has to be considered the best summer signing in the Bundesliga.

His ability to dominate in the air, read the game in front of him, and keep up with speedy forwards makes him one of the most complete center backs in the league.

Next. Schalke vs. Hertha Predicted Starting XI. dark

Hertha will give Schalke’s defense more trouble in the DFB Pokal, because Piatek will likely play the full 90 minutes. And exciting, former RB Leipzig No. 10 Matheus Cunha could be in the starting XI. Piatek showed real quality off the bench on Friday, so Kabak will have to be fully prepared for a forward who scored 30 goals in all competitions in 2018-2019.

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