Schalke 04 vs Dortmund: 5 things learned in slaughterhouse Revierderby

2. Omar Mascarel is necessary

One of my prematch keys to success was to “defend the defense.” That’s what Omar Mascarell does, and that’s what this team did not do as a whole in the Revierderby. There is no reason why Salif Sane, Matija Nastasic, and Jean-Clair Todibo should be looking like tops as often as they did against Dortmund.

Omar Mascarell’s absence was a huge reason why.

David Wagner went with Weston McKennie and Suat Serdar as his midfield base, and while McKennie’s ball-winning skills were about where they always are, his retention skills were not. The same goes with Suat Serdar, who was pretty much irrelevant throughout the course of the match.

That left very little fortification in front of the defense. Wherever Dortmund came from, they were left relatively unbothered prior to getting to our defense, at which point their attackers were at full speed, and not even Salif Sane can cope with Haland and Hazard and the like blitzing in at full speed.

Too much Dortmund attack and far too little Schalke readiness.

And finally, and all too obvious No. 1.