Loading ...Aug 17 2008
Schalke Caps Off Brilliant Week By Downing Hannover
Schalke 04 used the first week of its season to show the club is not only in line to challenge for the Bundesliga’s other automatic Champions League group stage birth (won by finishing second in the league) but also that they are ready to push Bayern Munich for the league title. Whereas a week ago Bayern looked like prohibitive favors to repeat atop the league, an injury-riddled roster could only draw in their home opener against Hamburger SV. That resumé pales in comparison to Schalke’s Champions League victory 1-0 over Atletico Madrid and their 3-1 domination of Hannover on Saturday.
Their victory in their league opener came despite missing two of their better players. Eredivisie import Jefferson Farfán was beaten down against Atlético and was out with a shoulder injury. Likewise, towering midfielder Orlando Engelaar would miss the season opener. If there is one quality that will define Schalke this year, however, it is their depth, particularly in the middle of the field. They were able to give Turk Halil Altintop the start in Farfán’s spot while a second straight eye-opening performance from 20-year-old Croatian Ivan Rakitic (pictured) helped compensate for Engelaar’s loss.
Rakitic has been their best player over the last week, quite an endorsement considering how Farfán, Kevin Kurányi, Jermaine Jones, Fabian Ernst, Christian Pander, Marcelo Bordon and Benedikt Höwedes have played. The length of that list speaks to how impressive Schalke have been. Bordon and Höwedes have been unspectacular but solid at the back, adroitly dealing with the few changes they were given. The midfield has made their job easy, with Ernst stifling any attacks attempting to build through the middle. Hannover was unable to transition the ball out of their own end in large part due to Ernst’s efforts. Up top, Kurányi had two goals, and although he could have had many more against Hannover, he also was great in pushing the back line. That has given a healthy Jones and Rakitic room in front of the line to attack.
Rakitic, who is in his second season with Schalke since joining the club from Switzerland’s FC Basel, gave both Atlético and Hannover troubles with his pace and ambition. Against Madrid he made his mark in using his speed to get on the end of frequent Farfán crosses. But whereas Atlético had a number of talents in midfielder that could at least keep Rakitic occupied, Hannover could not keep up, and the Croat was able to bolt in from the left at will to disrupt the opponent’s back. He brought an element of excitement (and for Hannover, worry) to ever attack, attacks that were frequent against the visitors.
The end result was the most impressive result of the weekend. Schalke showed a result that is keeping with the idea that they are a title contender. Fred Rutten has opened up their attack this season, and thanks to the acqusition of Farfán and Ratikic have the talent to stay with it. If players like Rakitic and Farfán continue at the levels they have shown over the last week, Schalke could avoid the expected fight for second and set their sights on nipping at Bayern’s heals.
Beyond the Bundelsliga, only Chelsea in England have shown themselves the stronger side, thus far. Only three of the seven big leagues have started play, but Schalke is not likely to drop far from the top of a Europe’s best teams list until their play falls.
Links
Opening win delights Rutten
Schalke ease to victory over Hannover
Bordon and Kuranyi sink Hannover
Schalke Suffer Engelaar Injury Blow
Three-star Schalke off to perfect start
New stars missing for Schalke
Engelaar missing against Hannover
Engelaar out for Bundesliga opener
Advantage Schalke
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