Schalke: Benito Raman and 5 players to watch in the Revierderby

GK Markus Schubert

As my colleague Josh Sippie recently wrote, Markus Schubert is back where he belongs as Schalke’s first-choice goalkeeper. The former Dynamo Dresden standout is one of the Bundesliga’s most promising keepers and has earned the starting job. Schalke should also strongly consider making him their first-choice man in 2020-2021.

For now, Schubert has a massive Revierderby to prepare for. He could be the difference-maker, because he will undoubtedly face some deadly chances from the likes of Jadon Sancho, Achraf Hakimi, Erling Haaland, Raphael Guerreiro, Julian Brandt, and Thorgan Hazard.

Dortmund’s star-studded attack isn’t short on players who can score, and both Haaland and Guerreiro have cannons. Schubert will be called upon to deliver the goods multiple times.

CB Matija Nastasic

Jean-Clair Todibo is the most impressive healthy center back on the Royal Blues, but Matija Nastasic is the real man to watch. If he has a strong game as the “rock” who clears the danger and calmly positions himself, then Haaland and BVB’s vaunted attack could be quelled, even at the Signal Iduna Park.

But if Nastasic struggles like he did against Bayern or a couple of other dangerous opponents this season, then Dortmund could open the floodgates in their own house. Nastasic has genuinely been one of the league’s better center backs this season, but his athletic limitations could be exploited by the explosive Haaland. That could be the pivotal matchup on Saturday.