Schalke 04: 3 things that must change against Augsburg

2. Trust Salif Sane

This defense was absolutely atrocious against Dortmund. They were getting burnt across the spectrum, making each and ever centerback look absolutely worthless. Which is quite something, seeing as how we had three talented centerbacks in there. Hence the theory that it was the midfield that was a bigger problem.

Regardless, another problem might have been Wagner opting for a back three, thus seemingly not trusting two centerbacks enough to do the job. Or maybe it was just a matter of not having Omar Mascarell, so trying to reinforce that backline.

It didn’t work. It worked so poorly that even Salif Sane looked awful. But that’s the thing—we have to trust Salif Sane to improve as he gets more fitness back in those legs, and for the sake of stocking the midfield, Wagner must trust Sane to anchor a centerback pairing, not a trio.

That may be an easier decision if Jean-Clair Todibo and Ozan Kabak are both out with injuries, but even if one or the other can go, the informational structure of a back four has served this team much better than a back three, so trust the big man.

Speaking of trust, No. 1.