Schalke: Jhon Cordoba and 5 key players to watch on Köln
CB Toni Leistner
Like Elvis Rexhbecaj, Toni Leistner made his first start of the 2019-2020 Bundesliga campaign for FC Köln in last week’s 5-0 win over Hertha BSC. And like Rexhbecaj, Leistner was a smashing success and will almost assuredly draw another start at center back on Matchday 24 with Rafael Czichos injured.
Leistner is a potential upgrade, given that he recorded a whopping six interceptions with two tackles and eight clearances in the win. The 29-year-old was all over the place, and while Cordoba and Kainz made the headlines for scoring goals, Leistner was just as impressive as the attacking players in the blowout win.
Schalke’s attack has struggled mightily lately, so another big performance from Leistner could put the Royal Blues at risk of yet another goose egg in the goals column.
DM Jonas Hector
Jonas Hector should be a familiar face to Schalke fans. The former starting left back for the German national team has been a fixture in Köln, having rejected overtures from bigger clubs over the years in order to remain in the city, even amidst relegation.
Köln are back in Germany’s top flight and look here to stay for at least one more season, with Hector once again playing a pivotal role in their successes. However, he’s done so as a defensive midfielder, transitioning to a more controlling and central role as a veteran due to the emergence of Schalke transfer target Noah Katterbach as a future star at left back.
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Hector is second on the team with 2.7 tackles per game, and he’s also averaging 1.6 interceptions per game. Mascarell and Serdar have the quality to deal with Hector, but his experience and ability on the ball could cause Schalke some problems.