Schalke 04 vs Dortmund: 5 things learned in slaughterhouse Revierderby
By Josh Sippie
4. Salif San is back!
Before the match began, when optimism was at its peak, the big name on the teamsheet was Salif Sane, making his glorious return. It was Sane who anchored what was a truly exceptional defense early on in the season and it will be Sane who anchors what will be a truly exceptional defense going forward.
This was by no means his best match, but we also have to keep in mind that these players had very little run-up to this match and Sane hasn’t played organized football in half a year due to his injury. Throwing him back into the fire against a supercharged Dortmund attack would have required a Herculean effort to stymie, and while Sane is just a few clicks shy of Hercules, he wasn’t up to the task.
That’s perfectly okay. It’s expected. Let Sane get his legs back underneath him and this defense will snap back into the form it needs to be in to anchor a push up the table. It all starts with Sane and getting Ozan Kabak back to health, so we’re halfway there.
Speaking of which, No. 3.