Schalke: 5 key players to watch against Paderborn

ST Michael Gregoritsch

Michael Gregoritsch was woeful against Bayern Munich a couple of weeks ago, failing to build on a dream debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach that included a goal and an assist. He was invisible in the goalless draw with Hertha, too, making useless runs off the ball and failing to take up dangerous positions whenever the midfielders were looking for a final ball.

But Gregoritsch has obvious quality. He could run rampant against Paderborn. This is the type of match where Gregoritsch needs to find the back of the net and create for others, because a big performance can boost the former Augsburg forward’s confidence.

RB Bastian Oczipka

Schalke’s regular left back, Bastian Oczipka is always in the lineup. He is one of the more reliable defensive fullbacks in the Bundesliga and an excellent crosser of the ball, though Oczipka hasn’t provided many memorable deliveries over the past few games.

Oczipka will likely start at right back, which will challenge the Bundesliga veteran in a different way. The former Eintracht Frankfurt man shouldn’t be threatened defensively despite the unfamiliar position, but his set pieces will be even more important now that Daniel Caligiuri is out of the lineup.