Borussia Dortmund-Schalke 04 is a Bundesliga Week 7 match and is played on Saturday at 15:30
BORUSSIA DORTMUND – SCHALKE 04
After just one year’s absence, the much-loved Revierderby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, the most bitter rivalry of the many clubs that ‘populate’ the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is back. Last season it did not take place because the Gelsenkirchen team were trying to pull themselves out of the quicksand of the Zweite Liga after their bitter relegation two years ago. It is vital for Edin Terzic’s men to get back to winning ways: they need to redeem two defeats in a row against Leipzig in the Bundesliga and Manchester City in the Champions League as soon as possible.
The weekly reunion with former great Erling Braut Haaland was not particularly ‘cordial’: the Norwegian slinger, now in England at Pep Guardiola’s court, scored the goal – and what a goal – that gave his old team their first European disappointment. Huge regrets and only a near miss for the Gialloneri, who were ahead at the Etihad Stadium until ten minutes from the end. However, it was a much better performance than the one offered a few days earlier in the league against the Roten Bullen.
Orban, Szoboszlai and Haidara (3-0) allowed former Borussia coach Marco Rose to ‘avenge’ his dismissal last May. Less turbulent was the weekend of Schalke 04, who in the direct clash with Bochum obtained their first success since they set foot in the top division. Forgotten, then, was the disastrous 6-1 home defeat against Union Berlin two days ago. Frak Kramer and his team currently have six points and occupy twelfth place, although the red zone remains particularly close.
The Prediction
It is a derby and as such there are no foregone conclusions, despite the huge difference in values between the two teams at the moment. Borussia Dortmund should return to winning ways after the double defeat between Leipzig and City, but the feeling is that Schalke 04 will come out on top in a match that is likely to end in high scores. A total of at least four goals cannot be ruled out.
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 matchday squad
- BORUSSIA DORTMUND (4-2-3-1): Meyer; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Guerreiro; Bellingham, Özcan; Reyna, Reus, Brandt; Modeste.
- SCHALKE 04 (4-3-3): Schwolow; Matriciani, van den Berg, Yoshida, Ouwejan; Flick, Krauß, Zalazar; Drexler, Terodde, Bülter.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-2