2020 has been rotten for FC Schalke. Die Königsblauen are enduring a miserable run of form which has stretched across the entire year and they are in real danger of becoming the latest big Bundesliga club to fall out of Germany’s top league.
Its been a rotten year both on and off the pitch for Schalke and things just haven’t got going at all this season. Seven games without a win so far this season and a change in management hasn’t improved their dire run of form.
It’s 23 games and counting since Schalke last won in the Bundesliga. 17th January 2020 was the last time the club tasted victory in the league. This is a distant memory for the fans and the players who are lacking belief and confidence.
Something has got to give otherwise Schalke are staring at the prospect of second-tier football for the first time in 29 years.
FC Schalke Bundesliga Status Threatened in Rotten 2020 Thus Far
23 Games and Counting Without a League Win for Schalke
That 2-0 win against Borussia Monchengladbach in January seems a long time ago. They were fifth in the Bundesliga table after that result but things have taken a major turn since then. 23 Bundesliga games have passed since Schalke lasted tasted success.
The club ended the previous games on a 16 match winless run which saw them finish 12th in the table. In those 16 matches, they managed just two clean sheets – a major problem. As 2019/20 concluded, they picked up just six points in that winless run. David Wagner came under severe scrutiny but kept his job heading into this season.
That miserable run of performances and results has carried into this campaign with Schalke yet to win. Wagner was dismissed after three straight defeats in their opening three games. His replacement Manuel Baum hasn’t set the world alight but has lost just once since taking over. Three draws show some shoots of recovery but ultimately it hasn’t been enough to lift them out the Bundesliga relegation zone.
Baum will be aware of the challenges ahead and his tenure needs lift off sooner rather than later.
Schalke’s Away Form Is a Big Problem
While their run of form has been rotten to the core, their poor away form stretches back to late last year. 23rd November 2019 was the last time Schalke won an away match in the Bundesliga. Amine Harit and Benito Raman sealed an excellent win at Werder Bremen. However, 15 away games have passed since then and Schalke have failed to win any losing ten of those games. This is a major problem that Baum has inherited and things have to improve on the road.
Wagner made them resilient and hard to break down but as their confidence dipped, Schalke became more vulnerable away from home. This vulnerability has been exploited by several Bundesliga sides including Bayern Munich who put eight past them on the opening weekend of this season.
It may be a case of going back to basics for Schalke and finding that steel and resilience to keep teams out. They do struggle to score but solidifying their defence especially away from home needs to be top priority.
Problems off the Pitch Hinder On-Field Form
With things being miserable on the pitch, things off it are no better. It was a summer of disappointment in the transfer window due to the coronavirus pandemic hitting Schalke hard as well as the club’s big-spending of previous years trying to get into Europe.
The club has debts of €200 million meaning the money has dried up for improvements on the pitch. Players on big salaries have departed the club leaving them significantly weaker meaning the manager’s task was made even harder. Big earners like Weston McKennie, Daniel Caliguiri and Sebastian Rudy were amongst the departures from the Veltins Arena this summer.
Unsurprisingly, David Wagner and Manuel Baum both struggled to get new players in. The club made four summer signings and didn’t spend a penny on any of them. Vedad Ibisevic arrived on a free from Hertha Berlin and immediately confirmed he would be donating his salary to charity. Goncalo Paciencia, Frederik Ronnow and Kilian Ludewig also arrived this summer – all three joined on loan. These signings highlighted Schalke’s lack of transfer funds and their major off-field money issues.
Its been a case of utilising the resources at the club including the youngsters coming through the ranks. The likes of Malick Thiaw, Can Bozdogan and Nassim Boujellab have all been promoted to the first team this season. This has been one positive in a dismal season thus far for Die Konigsblauen.
They Have the Players to Turn Their Form Around
It’s clear to see the players are lacking belief and confidence. However, there is plenty of quality in that side to change their fortunes.
The loss of leader Daniel Caliguiri has hit them hard. The experienced Italian left on a free transfer eventually joining FC Augsburg. His departure will have hurt but there is plenty of experienced figures in that squad to lead the team. Goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann has been there and done it with Schalke. Despite being shipped out to Norwich City and Norway last season, the experienced keeper is back in the fold and his leadership and voice will be crucial. He has been in good times and bad times and nobody loves the club as much as he does. Fahrmann more than many will be turned to in the coming weeks.
Schalke have plenty of quality players who are lacking the confidence we know they have. Amine Harit is their go-to man for creativity and that edge. However, his form has majorly dipped and Manuel Baum needs to quickly unlock the Moroccan’s qualities. Others who are finding times difficult include Suat Serdar, Alessandro Schopf, Rabbi Matondo and Ahmed Kutucu.
Perhaps the one player who has found some form is Mark Uth. The striker has struggled to impress since arriving from Hoffenheim in 2018. Injuries have hampered his time in Gelsenkirchen and a lack of game time also didn’t help. However, a loan to Koln earlier this year helped his belief as he notched five goals in 15 games for Markus Gisdol’s Billy Goats. That confidence has come into this season with Uth scoring twice so far this season – Unsurprisingly, that has made him Schalke’s top scorer.
The quality is there and certainly ending their rotten run of form sooner rather than later will provide a major boost for the players.
Schalke Have to Improve and Fast to Preserve Their Bundesliga Status
Schalke’s rotten 2020 has perhaps gone under the radar because of the unprecedented times we live in but things have to improve. 23 games without a win is simply unacceptable for a side who should be competing for a top-six finish.
Manuel Baum knows the big challenges lie ahead and their form needs to take a turn for the better. A win is vital for Schalke with relegation to Bundesliga 2 a real possibility if things continue this way.
Schalke need a big turning point in their season but face three tricky games back to back. They take on unbeaten Wolfsburg this weekend before a trip to Borussia Monchengladbach and a home against the other unbeaten side Bayer Leverkusen. Three tricky assignments but a win in one of these matches could be the tonic to turn Schalke’s rotten 2020 around.
Main Photo
