Two teams from the same region with different histories are set to take on each other.
The wonders of Borussia Dortmund these past couple of seasons have tended to undermine the good work at Schalke. Schalke has not won the Bundesliga; however, they have steadily progressed. Last season’s third placed finish saw them enter the Champions League, a competition in which they are still unbeaten, despite the happenings in the league.
Schalke has not won as many trophies as their stature warrants. The same can be said about Dortmund. Following a 3-0 demolition of Shaktar Donetsk and progression into the Champions League quarterfinals, Dortmund will be looking to win the Revierderby. The title is almost seemingly lost; however, even at this point, the bragging rights still count.
Julian Draxler starred last week as Schalke took another step in the right direction by hammering Wolfsburg 1-4. Dortmund’s Mats Hummels has continued to be out while Sven Bender suffered an injury in midweek. This is perhaps the right time for the Royal Blues to play their arch rivals, as Dortmund will surely be tired after an absolutely majestic performance in midweek.
The first derby of the season occurred at just the right time for Schalke. Under Huub Stevens, Schalke was flying at that time. They seemed to be the main threat to Bayern in the Bundesliga title race. Dortmund was in poor form domestically at the time. A tired Dortmund managed a first shot on target after more than 35 minutes of play. Dortmund only ever threatened in the second half. Schalke played a smart tactical game and shocked the crowd at the Westfalenstadion, as they took the game 1-2.
How this one will pan out is anyone’s guess. Schalke is now battling for fourth spot. They are currently sixth, two points behind fourth placed Frankfurt. Dortmund is a staggering seventeen points behind trailblazers Bayern. However, at the same time, Dortmund is not set to lose their spot in the top three any time soon. They are still Bayern’s main challenger to the Bundesliga crown.
Dortmund’s pressing game should be fine tuned in time for the derby. Jens Keller will definitely have one eye on the midweek clash against Galatasaray of course. Schalke launched an appeal against the inclusion of Didier Drogba in the Turkish lineup; they feel the Turks interfered with UEFA regulations. An angry Drogba could spell the end of Schalke’s European campaign nonetheless.
Speaking of Keller, the German seems to have saved himself from an inevitable sacking. A win in the Revierderby will of course render him dear to the hearts of the long suffering Schalke faithful. Jürgen Klopp, having come out on the losing side in the rivalry against Bayern this season, will not want to be at the losing end of another major rivalry again.
Prediction: Schalke 1-2 Dortmund
Schalke has not won as many trophies as their stature warrants. The same can be said about Dortmund. Following a 3-0 demolition of Shaktar Donetsk and progression into the Champions League quarterfinals, Dortmund will be looking to win the Revierderby. The title is almost seemingly lost; however, even at this point, the bragging rights still count.
Julian Draxler starred last week as Schalke took another step in the right direction by hammering Wolfsburg 1-4. Dortmund’s Mats Hummels has continued to be out while Sven Bender suffered an injury in midweek. This is perhaps the right time for the Royal Blues to play their arch rivals, as Dortmund will surely be tired after an absolutely majestic performance in midweek.
The first derby of the season occurred at just the right time for Schalke. Under Huub Stevens, Schalke was flying at that time. They seemed to be the main threat to Bayern in the Bundesliga title race. Dortmund was in poor form domestically at the time. A tired Dortmund managed a first shot on target after more than 35 minutes of play. Dortmund only ever threatened in the second half. Schalke played a smart tactical game and shocked the crowd at the Westfalenstadion, as they took the game 1-2.
How this one will pan out is anyone’s guess. Schalke is now battling for fourth spot. They are currently sixth, two points behind fourth placed Frankfurt. Dortmund is a staggering seventeen points behind trailblazers Bayern. However, at the same time, Dortmund is not set to lose their spot in the top three any time soon. They are still Bayern’s main challenger to the Bundesliga crown.
Dortmund’s pressing game should be fine tuned in time for the derby. Jens Keller will definitely have one eye on the midweek clash against Galatasaray of course. Schalke launched an appeal against the inclusion of Didier Drogba in the Turkish lineup; they feel the Turks interfered with UEFA regulations. An angry Drogba could spell the end of Schalke’s European campaign nonetheless.
Speaking of Keller, the German seems to have saved himself from an inevitable sacking. A win in the Revierderby will of course render him dear to the hearts of the long suffering Schalke faithful. Jürgen Klopp, having come out on the losing side in the rivalry against Bayern this season, will not want to be at the losing end of another major rivalry again.
Prediction: Schalke 1-2 Dortmund
