Release The Knappen
Fansided

Schalke: 3 matchups to watch vs. Hertha Berlin in Pokal

By Kevin Parvizi

BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 31: Ozan Kabak (L) of Schalke 04 in action during Bundesliga week 20 soccer match between Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 in Berlin, Germany on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 31: Ozan Kabak (L) of Schalke 04 in action during Bundesliga week 20 soccer match between Hertha Berlin and Schalke 04 in Berlin, Germany on January 31, 2020. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Schalke and Hertha Berlin played out a scoreless draw in Friday’s Bundesliga matchup. Here are three key matchups to watch in their rematch at the Veltins Arena on Tuesday.

There were equal positives and negatives for Schalke to take from their 0-0 draw with Hertha Berlin on Friday. While they did well to hold Berlin to zero shots on target, the Royal Blues once again struggled to carve out real chances of their own against a Hertha defense that was well-organized and alert to any potential sources of danger.

Dedryck Boyata, Maximillian Mittlestädt, Jordan Torunarigha, and Santiago Ascacibar were all incredible in this game, matching the effort and intensity displayed by Schalke’s defense.

Here are three key matchups for Schalke to watch for on Tuesday in the DFB Pokal Round of 16. They will need to win these matchups in order to score goals and progress to the next round of the competition.

Ozan Kabak vs. Krzysztof Piatek

Ozan Kabak was once again Schalke’s best player on Matchday 20, cutting out danger and keeping up with Hertha’s talented attackers. But on Tuesday, he and the Royal Blues defense will face a different kind of test in former AC Milan striker Krzysztof Piatek, who is a traditional No. 9.

One of Jürgen Klinsmann‘s newest signings, Piatek made his debut in the second half at the Olympiastadion and immediately looked dangerous. He flashed several close shots, and while he only played for about 30 minutes, he led the team with three shots.

A full 90 minutes of Piatek will cause all sorts of problems for Schalke, but they have the talent on defense to keep him in check. Kabak’s aerial ability and clearances will be key.

Benito Raman vs. Dedryck Boyata

Benito Raman and Michael Gregoritsch were completely taken out of the game by Hertha’s exceptional center back duo of Dedryck Boyata and Jordan Torunarigha, who are about to increase their profiles under Klinsmann.

It was particularly frustrating to see how ineffective Raman was after returning from an infection. He was sorely missed against Bayern Munich and has been one of Schalke’s most effective players over the past couple of months.

The former Fortuna Düsseldorf man can be the difference-maker in this game, but it’s up to him to win the chess match against Boyata, whose reading of the game and strength make him one of the Bundesliga’s better center backs.

Amine Harit vs. Santiago Ascacibar

Piatek is a big name joining Hertha Berlin in 2020, but Santiago Ascacibar was the real star on Friday. The under-appreciated defensive midfielder was absolutely dominant in the middle of the park, showing that he has the tools to make an immediate impact after joining from VfB Stuttgart.

Ascacibar, per WhoScored.com, recorded five tackles and two interceptions in a commanding display. The Argentina midfielder’s defensive work makes everyone else around him that much better, and he had a great deal of success against Amine Harit on Friday.

dark. Next. 5 Schalke players who must shine against Hertha

Harit has to step up in the DFB Pokal if Schalke are to win. He is responsible for most of Die Knappen’s big wins this season, and Harit has a way of making his presence felt in the biggest games. This matchup is one of those, but he’ll have his work cut out for him against a holding midfielder with Ascacibar’s quality.

Home/Schalke 04 News