4. A reset of momentum
This is so, so important. As mentioned, Schalke 04 was not in a good state when the pause hit. After a resounding and thrilling 2-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach that sounded the bells that Die Knappen may well be ready to compete for top of the table, we were thoroughly smacked 5-0 by Bayern Munich.
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- Schalke 04: David Wagner just has to make it to the end of the season
- Schalke 04: At least we still have Weston McKennie
Just like that, the downward spiral began with three straight Bundesliga draws and then another 5-0 drubbing, this time to RB Leipzig.
Schalke have not won a Bundesliga match since. And it wasn’t looking good.
Now that they’ve had months to reset, months to heal, months to get back in the right headspace, they will be coming back to action in the same state as every other team. And since we’ve seen what this club can do, and how good they can be, it’s perfectly realistic to think that they could return in a better state.
Moving on to No. 3.