The 2011 DFL Supercup takes place Saturday July 23 at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The match features 2010-2011 Bundesliga Champions Borussia Dortmund facing 2010-2011 DFB Pokal Champions Schalke 04.
Borussia Dortmund Vs. Schalke 04, 2011 DFL Supercup: Preview
Soccer fans throughout the world will be treated to the greatest rivalry in Germany in the Supercup. The Ruhr District Derby (also known as the Revierderby) is one of the most passionate rivalries in the world with both groups of supporters having extreme distaste for each other. The two sides have fought it out on the pitch since their first match on May 3, 1925. Over the last 86 years they’ve played a total of 132 matches with Schalke winning 55 times, Dortmund winning 46 times, and the two sides playing to a draw 33 times.
This is the second year in a row that Schalke has played in the Supercup. Last year they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund’s last Supercup appearance was in 2008 when they defeated Bayern Munich 2-1.
Dortmund looks like they'll be without a large portion of their team. Antonio Da Silva and Jakub Blaszczykowski will both definitely miss the match with knee injuries. Marcel Schmelzer will also be out of the match due to an ankle injury. Star striker Lucas Barrios is in Argentina preparing for the Copa America Final with Paraguay. Manager Jürgen Klopp will be hoping the quartet of Sven Bender, Mario Götze, Neven Subotic and Kevin Großkreutz will be prepared to take the field.
Schalke are in much better shape entering the match with only Jefferson Farfan and Christoph Moritz missing out due to injury. The real focus of the Schalke side will be goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann who made the move from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer. Schalke made the move for Fährmann when they sold Manuel Neuer to Bayern Munich.
The DFL Supercup will be broadcast in 175 countries throughout the world. Fans in India, Japan, Ireland, Great Britain, and the USA can watch the match live on the DFB's official Youtube channel. The match is scheduled for kickoff at 20:15 CET. For those of you in the United States that is 2:15 PM EDT.
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