Starting for Schalke today, so new thread! Will 2021 be a better year for Schalke? Is today the day they finally win a Bundesliga game? Probably not, but let's see!
Early on looks like a 4-4-2 with Hoppe and Uth together up top. Unless Uth is just the a-mid in a 4-2-3-1 and playing really high.
Hoppe beats Aldrete to an over-the-top ball down the sideline - and Aldrete drills him in the back. First foul drawn, nice speed, not much skill involved.
Hoppe faster than the defense, beats his man into the corner of the box and goes down. Some appeal for a penalty, some contact could have been a penalty but probably better that it wasn't.
Ten minutes in Schalke playing hard, Hoppe has been surprisingly involved. Unfortunate that he got taken down the one time he got possession deep as he was preparing to cut back and cross.
Me to my wife: I have just made the decision not to watch Hertha-Schalke. Her: because you don’t hate yourself. Me: but Schalke has a young American, let me check the line...OOH, he’s starting! She rolls her eyes and leaves the room. She, however, gets me.
Difficult volley by Hoppe - mishit and almost goes in! Keeper tips it away in a panic, though he made it harder than it really was.
Hoppe has thrown his hands up a couple of times in frustration after several nice runs weren’t rewarded with the ball. Jesus.... can’t believe I’m watching this shit. But... it still beats folding my household’s laundry that is staring at me. Barely though! D
Schalke counter - three defenders following Hoppe, great Harit ball through the defense to Uth, shot headed for far post and tipped wide.
Oczipka, who has been one of the worst players on the field, makes a sort-of goal line clearance to keep it level.
Hoppe nice flicked header sets up Schopf for a run into the box, he shoots into the near post side netting.
I keep thinking damn Hoppe is all over the place. Then I realize it’s #28 (Schopf). Similar running styles, scrappy, and similar build & hair.
Loose ball just inside the box falls to Guendouzi after a corner, nicely curled shot inside the far post makes it 1-0. Ugh.
Yep, hair is the worst... Actually only worst is mckennie and the other black dude with the exact same garbage patch kid hair cut on juve... Can't tell them apart on a stream... Or maybe sargent with -THE redheard japanese player lol...? Philosophical questions, I guess.
Every time I’ve seen Guendouzi play I’m left scratching my head thinking.... Arsenal couldn’t use him? I hope Hertha makes that loan permanent.
Hoppe fouled 40 yards out with his back to goal. Hoppe is a step faster than the defense, and looks to have above average Bundesliga speed, to my eyes.