McKennie (start), Wright (bench), Johnson (bench) - 2/2 - Schalke v. Gladbach

'Gladbach clearly the better team and close to a goal in their attacks, but Wes is doing well in the terrier role, annoying their defenders when they try to come out playing. He must have shown huge stamina to be given that job.

 

Uth (#7) playing central forward now, with Serdar (#8) on the right and Wes (#2) on the left. McKennie and the rest have retreated to the mid-line.

 

It's a chess game in midfield. 'Gladbach tried to come through their left but Caligiuri has proved too good for them. They're finding more space on the right now. Schalke leaves only Uth and Wes in front (midfield line really), with Konoplyanka helping Oczipka on their left and Serdar helping Caligiuri on their right.

 

Schalke with a couple of good moments through the middle, both ending in free kicks. Bentaleb generated one, Uth the other. Wes acting mostly as support behind Uth at this point.

Basically the wings are controlled by 'Gladbach, but Schalke is finding relief through the middle.

 

McKennie with a very good defensive header blocking a 'Gladback attack, right to his keeper's hands. Gets some praise.

PS: This is a very Serie A type of game, very tactical and conservative.

 

Wes is a stone cold baller.

 

Just a matter of time, 'Gladbach has come out controlling 80% of the field and Schalke is not pressing.

And as I type a quick Schalke counter saw Uth get his shot blocked in the end. But that looked dangerous.

 

Wes mistimes a tackle and brings Strobl down. No caution.

PS: Caligiuri has been immense for Schalke today. He's been everywhere, even helping their left side where Konoplyanka has been subpar. And now he stops a 'Gladbach guy who had dribbled through the central area free. Guy is my MOTM so far.

 

Red for Schalke's keeper, DOGSO on Hazard.

He tripped Hazard outside the box, so no PK but a very dangerous FK.

 

Konoplyanka out, so Fahrmann (sub keeper) can come in. Good choice, Kono sucked.

 

Hazard sends it too high. Now with Kono gone, Rudy has to move left because Oczipka would get overrun otherwise. So expect Wes to retreat enough to give Bentaleb a way out.

That can prove fatal, since Wes is the guy keeping Strobl out of the game.

 

Wes did some shirt-pulling on a very dangerous Hazard but didn't get the yellow, it'd cause a riot so soon after the red to the keeper.

 

Strobl out, they bring in the more attacking Kramer. The last 25 minutes are going to be tough.

Hazard is a constant headache. They need to put someone on him ASAP.

 

Bentaleb stops the striker Stindl from having a clear shot from the edge of the box, but at the cost of a yellow. Another FK for 'Gladbach.

Fahrmann!!! What a save!

----

McKennie immediately with the counter, but he's alone. Still, being useful to relieve pressure.

 

The exhausted Rudy out, young Matondo in. Rudy was left with the dual role to help cover the left and keep an eye on Hazard, and it was not working.

Tedesco should put Wes on Hazard. Let someone else take care of Kramer!

 

game over. straight red to the GK

 

At least it's not a penalty.

 

Schalke's left side has capitulated. 'Gladbach control it all the way to the corner flag. McKennie playing central defense with Bentaleb and the CBs, the new guy trying to help Bastian Oczipka but the guy is just done.

 

Wes recovers, dribbles two, but the third guy takes it from him. Uth was already running on his right. Those two are providing all the way out for a caged team!

Wes's stamina is very Ami. He looks like he could play other 90 after these.

 

Very unlikely we see Wright, of course. Next change should be Oczipka, but I don't think they have a replacement for him.

 

I think you are quite a bit behind the live action.

Gladbach scores. 0-1.

 

Goal 'Gladbach. 0-1.

It was Kramer, the guy Wes had left alone to cover the Hazard runs. Beautiful long-distance shot.

BTW, this is a guy who played in a World Cup final, in 2014, against Argentina. And went out at the 31' mark with a concussion. He says he doesn't remember anything about that day.