Schalke Win 2011 DFB-Pokal Final, Beat Duisburg 5-0

That doesn’t seem very friendly, does it? Neuer looked a little bit stunned by the hit, then shrugged it off and went back to the drinking. Fair play to him, but a big thumbs down to the cowardly fan who decided to hit a man who’s been instrumental to his team’s success and then run away. Miserable behaviour there.

Schalke put in a professional and clinical performance today in defeating Duisburg 5-0 to win the 2011 DFB-Pokal Final.

Duisburg put in a solid effort for a 2.Bundesliga side, but the difference in quality was evident. They had a remarkable run to get to the final, and it’s a shame that it had to end like it did.

As much as I would love to be telling you that Duisburg was back in this match with several quick goals, it’s not the case. We’re in the 70th minute, and they’ve completely capitulated.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has scored his second goal of the game to give Schalke a 5-0 lead. The awfulness of the play is just to epic to describe. The ball was played to Duisburg defender Goran Šukalo. Remarkably, Šukalo didn’t feel the need to play with any urgency while standing in his own penalty box and several Schalke players running at him. The ball was taken from him and ended up at the feet of Huntelaar. The Dutch international turned and shot at the goal scoring his second of the match.

The Duisburg defense continues with their no-show today twice in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Just one minute after the restart, José Jurado received a pass in the Duisburg penalty area with no defenders within 10 yards of him. He put a low, hard shot on goal, but David Yelldell made a nice save. Jurado attempted to put in the rebound, but it was deflected out for a corner that would come to nothing.

Schalke takes on Duisburg in the 2011 DFB-Pokal Final on Saturday afternoon, and the winner will earn a spot in the Playoff Round of the 2011-2012 Europa League. Schalke are looking to cap off a disappointing Bundesliga season with a trophy, while Duisburg is the first 2.Bundesliga club to challenge for the cup since Alemannia Aachen in 2004.

Schalke will be looking to win their first silverware since 2005 when they won the now defunct Ligapokal. Coming into this match, Schalke have lost 6 matches in a row in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Ralf Rangnick’s side will be looking to turn things around in the cup final after a disappointing campaign in the league schedule. They finished a disappointing fourteenth in the table this season after coming in as runners-up last season.