Royal Blues take three points from Berlin

FC Schalke 04’s journey to Berlin was a worthwhile one. Thanks to goals from Leon Goretzka and Guido Burgstaller, the Royal Blues ran out deserved 2-0 winners against Hertha BSC and gave the Europa League participants their first home defeat of the season.

Bundesliga

14.10.17, 17:20

Torjubel in Berlin.

Nastasic and McKennie don’t feature

Domenico Tedesco had to do without Matija Nastasic and Weston McKennie for the trip to Berlin as neither was quite at full fitness and, in their places, came Benjamin Stambouli and Max Meyer respectively. There were two changes up front as well as Domenico Tedesco opted for Franco di Santo and Guido Burgstaller instead of Yevhen Konoplyanka and Breel Embolo who both sat on the bench.

Haraguchi sees red

In a first half full of physicality but low on chances, the Royal Blues controlled the majority of possession. Hertha were compact defensively and initially sat back but, after the 20 minute mark, Hertha came more into the game. Neither goalkeeper was called into action in the early stages but, towards the end of the first half, things got chaotic. Genki Haraguchi overran the ball in midfield and mistimed an overstretched challenge on Guido Burgstaller which resulted in a red card.

Goretzka and Burgstaller get the goals

After the break, Schalke stepped up a gear and continued to attack. Eventually, Leon Goretzka broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after Amine Harit was fouled in the area. Once ahead, Schalke did not look like conceding as Hertha rarely threatened. In fact, it was Schalke who extended their lead as Guido Burgstaller’s continual hard work and pressing resulted in him doubling the Knappen’s lead. The Austrian rounded Rune Jarstein in the 78th minute and finished cooly to wrap up the points for Schalke.

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