Scouting report: Schalke 04

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Schalke play a standard 4-2-3-1. Two solid center-backs who like getting forward as well. Think Luiz, but a little less erratic. And two wing backs on opposite sides who love charging forward and providing width.

 

In the middle we have the pivot, both of them either defend or attack. There is no vice-versa role as it happens in Chelsea for Schalke. They defend together, or attack together. It helps Schalke in a way, which we shall see later.

The front three function like interiores, as they drift a lot into the center. The striker has the ability to drift, which gives theinteriores and the #10 an opportunity to move forward and function as a #9. The attacking midfielder has also been noted to play as a second striker, especially when the #9 pulls back and links up with the midfield.

 

 

Now we have their transition to defense. The wing-backs now squeeze themselves inside, as the wingers come back to ensure that the whole structure doesn’t become too narrow. Two blocks of four is what Schalke used against Bayern. Yet they suffered a heavy defeat due to not taking their chances by exploiting the flanks.

The middle three press together at the ball, and have a peculiar relationship. Each of them have hybrid profiles in a sense that they can take up each other’s position while pressing. This gives them the freedom of movement with security in mind that the other two are covering. One out of the three never presses. He stays back and provide protection to the back four, and covers holes opened up by the pressing midfielders.

 

Schalke always always always mark zonally. It’s like they are allergic to man marking. Even their pressing is zonal rather than charging right at the player.

 

If the ball is won, Schalke charge down the wings. This is a strategy used by almost every team that likes using two blocks of four during defensive transitions. The wingers or interiores are the main outlets when the ball is won back, the striker being secondary. All of them push up, including the attacking midfielder and the wing-backs in a bid to create a clear cut chance.

 

 

Now when it comes to transitioning to attack, Schalke aren’t afraid in committing men forward. The wing-backs play akin to Alaba and Lahm of Bayern. The wingers on paper show the true qualities of interiores by shifting in ward. This cramps up and causes congestion in the center of the final third.

A quick switch of play to the flanks and the opposition have problems to deal with. Schalke can be threatening by frequently applying this strategy. If the play is switched back and forth too quickly, opponents who don’t have high concentration levels, pay the price.

Considering that Schalke don’t exactly play full-backs, they are highly vulnerable on the flanks. To counter this, the pivot restrict their movements forward. They opt to stay back and defend ahead of the center-backs 75% of the time. If the ball is lost, most team’s play down the flanks to exploit that space. One of the pivot players intelligently closes them down, while the attacking midfielder joins up with the other pivot player in the center.

The wingers meanwhile retreat back as well, giving Schalke further options to recover the ball back, or hinder the attacking transition of their opponents.

This helps Schalke slowly regain its shape as they wait to counter the next time they get the ball back. One thing to be noted is that Schalke will enter the game without any fear. The plethora of players at their disposal could give Chelsea a run for their money. Chelsea will be forced into working really hard if they want to get anything out of the game. Not to forget that concentration and work-rate must be high. Schalke are going to make us run all night if they have to.

I expect Azpilicueta to start the game. He seems to be much more clinical down the flanks than Ivanovic has been this season. Moreover Torres is also likely to start. One thing the Spaniard has to do is harass the German back-line. Only then will spaces open for Chelsea’s wide players to directly penetrate. I don’t see Eto’o having the capability of doing something like that. We don’t want too much drifting towards the flanks.

There’s a slight possibility of either Essien or Mikel starting at the Veltins-Arena. Chelsea need a pure defensive midfielder to stay back during attacking transitions as this would limit the amount of damage Schalke could cause.

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[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[Barbara 15,149]

absolutely brilliant, Sherry!

I'm going to link it in my match preview, because really, there was little left to say (and that's a compliment of the highest order, not a complaint).

I do think though that Eto'o has the ability to harass the back-line, but if Mourinho keeps up the rotation in the striker position, Torres will be given the chance. I would rather if he did not, as Torres was absolutely forgettable against Cardiff and it seems like the injury broke the progression he's been making this season. We shall see it.

I'm just curious about what would be Schalke's weaknesses - as I couldn't really find any in the analysis and I fully expect them to have one when they'll probably miss 7 players from what's considered their starting eleven, although one of those is Papadopoulos - who's been injured for nearly one year, I guess - and as such, properly replaced by the team.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

absolutely brilliant, Sherry!

I'm going to link it in my match preview, because really, there was little left to say (and that's a compliment of the highest order, not a complaint).

I do think though that Eto'o has the ability to harass the back-line, but if Mourinho keeps up the rotation in the striker position, Torres will be given the chance. I would rather if he did not, as Torres was absolutely forgettable against Cardiff and it seems like the injury broke the progression he's been making this season. We shall see it.

I'm just curious about what would be Schalke's weaknesses - as I couldn't really find any in the analysis and I fully expect them to have one when they'll probably miss 7 players from what's considered their starting eleven, although one of those is Papadopoulos - who's been injured for nearly one year, I guess - and as such, properly replaced by the team.

Aw thanks .

I think the problem Torres faced was playing in a 3-5-2. I'm planning to right one on that as well as Chelsea have played it thrice already. But it's a possibility yes , but hopefully not .

I'm out right now . I'll come back home and extend on the weakness part.

[communicate 2,703]

Aw thanks .

I think the problem Torres faced was playing in a 3-5-2. I'm planning to right one on that as well as Chelsea have played it thrice already. But it's a possibility yes , but hopefully not .

I'm out right now . I'll come back home and extend on the weakness part.

Wow you even can do schakle report, did you watch bundesliga often

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Wow you even can do schakle report, did you watch bundesliga often

I'm a self confessed Stuttgart fan. but don't watch too many of their games.

I usually start watching games I analyze a week or so before the game, for instance , I've already watched all the City games, except their last one. That way I'm always updated and well prepared.

absolutely brilliant, Sherry!

I'm going to link it in my match preview, because really, there was little left to say (and that's a compliment of the highest order, not a complaint).

I do think though that Eto'o has the ability to harass the back-line, but if Mourinho keeps up the rotation in the striker position, Torres will be given the chance. I would rather if he did not, as Torres was absolutely forgettable against Cardiff and it seems like the injury broke the progression he's been making this season. We shall see it.

I'm just curious about what would be Schalke's weaknesses - as I couldn't really find any in the analysis and I fully expect them to have one when they'll probably miss 7 players from what's considered their starting eleven, although one of those is Papadopoulos - who's been injured for nearly one year, I guess - and as such, properly replaced by the team.

So weaknesses. Back line very erratic. We have 1 Luiz, they have 4. Thank god they don't employ an offside trap. The problem is they have wing-backs, so defending isn't their first responsibility. Other is facing a counter after a fail counter-attack themselves. As I said about the pivot covering the flanks, if Chelsea can switch play from side to side as fast as possible , then it would be completely ineffective.

Plus most of Schalke's play is down the flanks. against Bayern the wide players and wing backs looked completely lost. Couldn't take their chances, sometimes drifted center, couldn't string a few passes together. Probably the pressure of facing a big team. Though it might not happen against Chelsea, there are chances it could. They also tend to suffer against teams that press high.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

So basically another team that will defend deep, close passing lanes, and leave no space then hit on the counter...great!

The middle three press together at the ball, and have a peculiar relationship. Each of them have hybrid profiles in a sense that they can take up each other’s position while pressing. This gives them the freedom of movement with security in mind that the other two are covering. One out of the three never presses. He stays back and provide protection to the back four, and covers holes opened up by the pressing midfielders.

That's interesting. I'll look for that in the game. You rarely see that as most manager prefer a separate pressing zone for each player because, in theory, if they can exchange defensive roles, they would create gaps while in the process of doing so which, especially in a zonal marking system, could be fatal. Would love to see how Keller works his way around that.

I've always loved the tactics in the Bundes Liga, tbh.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I expect Azpilicueta to start the game. He seems to be much more clinical down the flanks than Ivanovic has been this season.

I see it, you see it, but for some reason Jose hasn't been able to this season. I think the game will be decided by the midfield battle: who will work and press harder and more importantly who will win the second balls. The fact that they play mostly down the flanks is good for us, but I worry about Iva's ability to stop Daxler, especially the crosses into the box which are always his main weakness.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

We should play on the counter looking at how Schalke line up during attacking transitions I feel.

We should go with a three of Schurrle - Oscar - Hazard I feel, all three players are direct. Schurrle and Hazard could expose the spaces out wide on the counter for sure. Oscar is great at creating space for himself and finding those little pockets too so thats why I've included in the three I'd like to see lineup.

For the striker, personally I think Ba would be more useful especially as an outlet at times, Santana and Howedes aren't particularly strong, they are quickish on the ground but not the strongest so his presence could be useful. If he has one of those days where he holds the ball up really well like he did against Norwich and we can get numbers up to support him then it could be interesting.

Still I am excited to see Julian Draxler, he is a massive talent, just hoping he has a poor game haha. Possibly Meyer too, lots of potential and talent but I'm hoping that they don't get much of a chance to be as dangerous as they can be. Clemens is quite direct too, hes a decent player.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

So basically another team that will defend deep, close passing lanes, and leave no space then hit on the counter...great!

That's interesting. I'll look for that in the game. You rarely see that as most manager prefer a separate pressing zone for each player because, in theory, if they can exchange defensive roles, they would create gaps while in the process of doing so which, especially in a zonal marking system, could be fatal. Would love to see how Keller works his way around that.

I've always loved the tactics in the Bundes Liga, tbh.

That is their strategy against strong teams, like Bayern.. a completely different team against Eintrach Braunschweig. Depends on how the first 15 minutes phase out.

True. They employed it against Bayern as well. Got ripped apart due to Bayern's passing triangles. Bundesliga is really innovative, especially when it comes to tactics and philosophies they apply . Can honestly say that this is the first time I'm highly unsure about my own report. It's like they've different strategies in different games. God knows how much they train to perfect themselves.

I see it, you see it, but for some reason Jose hasn't been able to this season. I think the game will be decided by the midfield battle: who will work and press harder and more importantly who will win the second balls. The fact that they play mostly down the flanks is good for us, but I worry about Iva's ability to stop Daxler, especially the crosses into the box which are always his main weakness.

Think Jose will finally make a change. Just bloody hope so.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

That is their strategy against strong teams, like Bayern.. a completely different team against Eintrach Braunschweig. Depends on how the first 15 minutes phase out.

True. They employed it against Bayern as well. Got ripped apart due to Bayern's passing triangles. Bundesliga is really innovative, especially when it comes to tactics and philosophies they apply . Can honestly say that this is the first time I'm highly unsure about my own report. It's like they've different strategies in different games. God knows how much they train to perfect themselves.

Think Jose will finally make a change. Just bloody hope so.

I think it's incredible how German players are so tactically flexible. Even the ones that move away from the Bundes Liga, you can see how tactically versatile they can be, and Schurrle is just another example. I think in terms of training and youth coaching they're miles ahead of England for example.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

I think it's incredible how German players are so tactically flexible. Even the ones that move away from the Bundes Liga, you can see how tactically versatile they can be, and Schurrle is just another example. I think in terms of training and youth coaching they're miles ahead of England for example.

England can't even be compared. Would be an insult to the German FA's blueprint.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Great scouting.

But I have to say from what you have written, they like to block space and defend deep so I think Eto is the best for this. He is our best striker when teams sit deep and block passing lanes.

Torres will be better against city since there will be more space, pellegrini never defends so torres will do well against them just like tottenham and bayern.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Great scouting.

But I have to say from what you have written, they like to block space and defend deep so I think Eto is the best for this. He is our best striker when teams sit deep and block passing lanes.

Torres will be better against city since there will be more space, pellegrini never defends so torres will do well against them just like tottenham and bayern.

Personally we need someone whose strong point is movement. Drifting completely to the flanks is bad. Eto'o tends to do that a lot and that's purely on statistical grounds. His heat map shows a lot of side movement (not sure, willing to be proved wrong) . We only need part-drifting, which is enough to drag pivot players or at-least one of the center-backs. This would help the attacking midfielders to directly penetrate.

In Eto'o's case, he would drift towards the flanks and play as a temporary winger, and whoever is on the wings will come in center. This wouldn't disfigure Schalke's structure, as they are smart enough to switch only roles. Mandzukick did it perfectly. By drifting and moving around the back-line left and right just a little, he let Ribery, Robben and Kroos directly take up the #9 position.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Personally we need someone whose strong point is movement. Drifting completely to the flanks is bad. Eto'o tends to do that a lot and that's purely on statistical grounds. His heat map shows a lot of side movement (not sure, willing to be proved wrong) . We only need part-drifting, which is enough to drag pivot players or at-least one of the center-backs. This would help the attacking midfielders to directly penetrate.

In Eto'o's case, he would drift towards the flanks and play as a temporary winger, and whoever is on the wings will come in center. This wouldn't disfigure Schalke's structure, as they are smart enough to switch only roles. Mandzukick did it perfectly. By drifting and moving around the back-line left and right just a little, he let Ribery, Robben and Kroos directly take up the #9 position.

My point is even if eto is not perfect, he's better than torres against tight opposition. He created about 4-5 chances in 65mins against cardiff, I remember the ones for mata early and the chance he laid for hazard who crossed to willian off the top of my head. And it was his movement to the flanks that helped with that.

Torres goes missing in exactly these types of organised teams. But against spacy teams like mancity in the weekend, he is better.

And the fact that schalke have so many players on injury, I can see them keeping this as tight as possible.

So while you say schalke will be ready for eto, I think if torres was there it'll be even worse for us.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

My point is even if eto is not perfect, he's better than torres against tight opposition. He created about 4-5 chances in 65mins against cardiff, I remember the ones for mata early and the chance he laid for hazard who crossed to willian off the top of my head. And it was his movement to the flanks that helped with that.

Torres goes missing in exactly these types of organised teams. But against spacy teams like mancity in the weekend, he is better.

And the fact that schalke have so many players on injury, I can see them keeping this as tight as possible.

So while you say schalke will be ready for eto, I think if torres was there it'll be even worse for us.

But Cardiff and Schalke are different.

True their basic foundation is two blocks of four and deep defending. But there are tiny tiny intricate details that we miss out. Cardiff for one don't mark zonally in the middle, that would be stupid to do in the Premier League. That is where Torres can come in handy. It's much much tougher to do it against team's that will press zonal and mark man to man. But if you are going to press zonal and mark man to man, an English team will find it very easy with a striker that doesn't drift too much.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

But Cardiff and Schalke are different.

True their basic foundation is two blocks of four and deep defending. But there are tiny tiny intricate details that we miss out. Cardiff for one don't mark zonally in the middle, that would be stupid to do in the Premier League. That is where Torres can come in handy. It's much much tougher to do it against team's that will press zonal and mark man to man. But if you are going to press zonal and mark man to man, an English team will find it very easy with a striker that doesn't drift too much.

Another reason why I'd pick Torres tonight is that we'll need to cause the damage while they are in transition and for this end Torres is much quicker than Eto'o.

But then againt Samuel is on great form and if he can create space for himself inside the box like he did with the goal in Saturday, then all that won't matter.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Another reason why I'd pick Torres tonight is that we'll need to cause the damage while they are in transition and for this end Torres is much quicker than Eto'o.

But then againt Samuel is on great form and if he can create space for himself inside the box like he did with the goal in Saturday, then all that won't matter.

Agreed. Maybe form wise, I would take Samuel. We don't necessarily need to field a certain strategy. Jose has many tricks up his sleeve and might just have one where we don't need Torres or any striker of his characteristics at all.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Agreed. Maybe form wise, I would take Samuel. We don't necessarily need to field a certain strategy. Jose has many tricks up his sleeve and might just have one where we don't need Torres or any striker of his characteristics at all.

Yeah, I'm expecting a surprise from Jose tonight. There's a reason why he insisted that the last training session be held privately at Cobham instead of the public one that would have usually happened in Germany.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Yeah, I'm expecting a surprise from Jose tonight. There's a reason why he insisted that the last training session be held privately at Cobham instead of the public one that would have usually happened in Germany.

Woah didn't know that. Really need to keep myself updated. Can't wait for tonight.