Schalke vs Hertha part two: The usual suspects just doing their thing

Schalke pulled off a miracle against Hertha Berlin in the DFB-Pokal Cup. But how miraculous is it if it’s the same old guys doing the same old things?

After being battered by Bayern and lulled into a draw by Hertha Berlin, Schalke going down 2-0 early against Hertha in the DFB-Pokal had to have some fans groaning. Here we’d though the club had turned around, that they were ready to compete for a Bundesliga title, and yet no goals in two matches after they thoroughly handled Borussia Monchengladbach.

But nothing is ever over when you’ve got the types of characters that Die Knappen are currently boasting. And while this match happened outside of the Bundesliga, the fact that we were up against Bundesliga opposition says all you need to know about that.

Compiling on that, look at the people who sparked the change. Because when you do, you’ll start to see something familiar. Something we’ve seen before.

When we were down 2-0 with very little hope in the 75th minute, of course it was Daniel Caligiuri, Mr. Capable Of Anything, who was there to give his side the boost it needed. Caligiuri has not been at his best this year, but he can never, never be counted out because of instances just like this.

More from Release The Knappen

• Schalke 04: Arkadiusz Milik would take everything, but he’s worth it
• Schalke 04: Ozan Kabak makes Jean-Claire Todibo pass quietly
• Schalke 04: Omar Mascarell the only boost between now and then
• Schalke 04: David Wagner just has to make it to the end of the season
• Schalke 04: At least we still have Weston McKennie

When that game-tying goal was needed, you expect your best player to come through. Why would you expect anything else? Sure enough, it was Amine Harit. Because who else would it be?

Two goals, two of our biggest threats to goal. Color me surprised but… not really.

And don’t forget about the defensive side of things. We needed a hero when that ball was about to cross the goal line and if you asked me to put anyone in that situation, you better believe I am choosing Omar Mascarell. Again, beautiful play. Clutch. Perfect. Surprising? Not at all.

With extra time winding down and a shoot-out looming, we needed a fast break, something to push us over the edge and give us that third, quarter-final-clenching goal. Who would you rather have than Benito Raman? A spirited run and a fantastic finish, that’s Raman’s thing. It’s his (lengthy) middle name.

This was a fantastic match for all the reasons that this is a fantastic side. The usual suspects did their usual thing in slightly unusual circumstances. Moments of desperation became moments of triumph. Three cheers for one hell of a comeback, y’all.