Last season, when Schalke met Real Madrid, the miners had seemed to have no game plan. If they had one, the team from Madrid quickly extinguished it. The Spanish side put no less than nine goals past the helpless Schalke back line in two matches.
This year, while Real Madrid should in all likelihood win the tie, Schalke might present themselves as a better side than they were. The German outfit had a strange approach to games last season. Their attack was the answer to their defensive problems. Under Roberto Di Matteo, that approach has changed. The front line no longer has to compensate for the defense’s errors. A sense of discipline has emerged. However, the side has lost its attacking prowess too.
The best example of the loss of their attacking prowess is the match they played against Bayern Munich recently in the Bundesliga. Bayern lost Jerome Boateng early on to a red card. Eric Choupo-Moting missed the resulting penalty. Yet, Schalke had an extra man; considering their wealth of attacking options, they should have launched men forward despite the absence of Klaas Jan Huntelaar through suspension. Instead, they remained cautious. Pep Guardiola's men eventually took the lead. Thanks to Benedikt Höwedes’ powerful header, they equalized. Even in the final minutes, Bayern remained the more adventurous of the two sides. Schalke manages 11.1 shots per game, much less than they concede every match (15 shots).
Di Matteo’s caution has helped Schalke undoubtedly though. The Ruhr club has conceded only 23 goals this season; this tally is bettered only by Bayern and Mönchengladbach, and equaled by Wolfsburg. They make 18.3 tackles a game and 16.8 interceptions. This cautious approach is the approach Di Matteo must take to the Madrid match.
A three man back line with two defensive midfielders in the form of Jan Kirchoff and Marco Höger might prevent Madrid from breaking through the center. While two attacking wing backs can be used to pin back Real’s wing backs, two defensive minded wing backs might be a better option for Schalke. Closing the field on every side is the only way to prevent Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema from scoring. Madrid takes no less than 17.8 shots per game; when Schalke's average possession (48 percent) is factored in and considering the fact that Schalke will have even less possession than Real, one can assume Real will take more shots if Schalke can block the center of the pitch and prevent attacks from the wing through Ronaldo and Bale. The captain Höwedes will have to man mark Benzema as zonal marking is too risky an approach to take. When Robert Lewandowski was introduced in the aforementioned match against Bayern, Schalke really struggled. Thus, a focal points, such as Lewandowski or Benzema can prove dangerous to Schalke.
As far as attacking is concerned, long balls to the center-forward, preferably two forwards, might help them score from set pieces and via counterattacks. Klaas Jan Huntelaar will surely return and might be supported by Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. The Dutchman scored a goal against Real last season and does have what it takes to beat Iker Casillas. He was of course a team mate of Casillas' before and hence, knows the Spanish keeper well.
Even a perfect game plan though might not prevent Real from tearing Schalke apart. Can this modified version of Schalke at least stop Real from scoring in Germany?
