FC Schalke 04 are in desperate need of a strong March after a woeful month of February, which ended with a 3-0 loss to 1. FC Köln on the road.
The Royal Blues are reeling, and that’s putting it kindly. Very few players in the FC Schalke 04 starting XI distinguished themselves with their performances in the month of February, and things may get worse before they get better after Omar Mascarell and Ozan Kabak – who were two of the only consistent positives – sustained serious injuries.
With Kabak and Mascarell out and a difficult month of March on the horizon, beginning with a DFB Pokal battle at the Veltins Arena against a seemingly invincible Bayern Munich side, it’s time to take a look at Schalke’s optimal starting XI at this moment in time.
GK Alexander Nübel
Alexander Nübel made a fool out of himself against FC Köln, and he has been one of the team’s worst players in 2020. Yes, Markus Schubert may have made some nervy errors against Bayern, but what on earth did you expect from a young keeper making his debut at the Allianz Arena against a determined record champions?
Schubert’s injury means that, for better or for worse, the Bayern-bound Nübel will continue starting in goal. Hopefully, he doesn’t flounder against Die Roten.