Schalke: 5 key players to watch against Paderborn

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GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 04: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Omar Mascarell of FC Schalke 04 gestures during the DFB Cup round of sixteen match between FC Schalke 04 and Hertha BSC at Veltins Arena on February 4, 2020 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Ralf Treese/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

DM Omar Mascarell

Omar Mascarell is often the glue that holds Schalke together, and he was sensational against Hertha last week, essentially playing as a “Libero” center back in between Matija Nastasic and Ozan Kabak in a back three. While Mascarell is more of a traditional defensive midfielder due to his box-to-box abilities, he can basically play as a 6, 8, or even a CB, as he did last week.

David Wagner can deploy Mascarell in multiple ways on Saturday, but what matters most is the quality of passing from the Spain international. Paderborn play hard in the midfield and will look to make it difficult for Schalke to find easy passing lanes. Mascarell will have to cerebrally pick out unorthodox passes to keep Schalke moving while also providing his trademark great defending.

RM Alessandro Schopf

Alessandro Schopf played as more of a center midfielder in the Pokal win over Hertha, but he wasn’t really a success in that role. Schopf is one of the hardest working wingers in the Bundesliga, but Schalke need to see more end product from him. He could start as a right midfielder on Matchday 21 with Caligiuri injured, or he could play as a center midfielder if Suat Serdar and Weston McKennie are unable to play due to injuries.

Next. Schalke vs. Paderborn Predicted Starting XI. dark

No matter the role, Schopf will be an important part of a victory for the Royal Blues. He needs to show quality on the ball and the ability to create chances in order for Paderborn’s defense to feel threatened by the Austria international. This could be a big game for Schopf.

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