Unlike many leagues in Europe, there are not too many derbies of prominence in Germany. Sure, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have locked horns in the rivalry dubbed “Der Klassiker,” but before Dortmund’s dethroning of Bayern two years in a row, the two were just regular teams sharing a pitch twice a season. That is partially because Dortmund has another nemesis that the supporters hiss at the very sight of.
Schalke 04 vs. Borussia Dortmund: Time, TV schedule, and game preview
The two enter the 89th year of their rivalry, one that is still neck-and-neck
Dean Mouhtaropoulos
That rival is Schalke, and the two play in Germany’s most storied derby, the Revierderby.
This is the 89th year of this rivalry. Schalke holds a slight edge in with 49 wins to Dortmund’s 45 – the two have drawn 33 times. Schalke has won one more domestic trophy than Dortmund has, but Dortmund holds the edge in league trophies. No matter how high one team seems to rise, the other is there to knock it down a peg.
Now they renew their rivalry again, both with banged up squads that are trying to stay competitive in the Bundesliga.
Key Player: Kevin-Prince Boateng
His career at Schalke has progressed with mixed results. Jens Keller seems set on playing him in midfield, when in actuality his best position is probably behind Klaas-Jan Huntelaar up front. Now with injuries and suspensions to important attacking midfielders, Keller will have to play Boateng farther forward. Dortmund’s defense has been disappointing to say the least, so playing up with Max Meyer and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting can be devastating if he chooses to link up the play and create space for more than just himself.
Key Matchup: Roman Neustädter vs. Ciro Immobile
Keller has had to rely on Neustädter, a 33-year-old veteran, in central defense, but he has done exactly what Keller has asked him to do. Now Neustädter faces a unique test in Ciro Immobile, who is not the the poachers he has gone up against over the past two weeks. Immobile’s runs are more unpredictable, and he will pull Neustädter out to create space for runs from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kevin Großkreutz to run in behind. Schalke will have to trip up Dortmund’s unwavering attack, and the battle between the two is where the war will start.
Schalke Injuries and Suspensions:
Out: Jefferson Farfán (knee), Fabian Giefer (groin), Leon Goretzka (thigh), Benedikt Höwedes (ligament tear), Sead Kolašinac (knee), Felipe Santana (muscle tear) In Doubt: Kaan Ayhan (laceration), Jan Kirchhoff (knee), Joël Matip (groin), Sidney Sam (muscle problems) Suspended: Julian Draxler
Dortmund Injuries and Suspensions:
Out: Jakub Blaszczykowski (knee), Ilkay Gündogan (back), Sebastian Kehl (foot), Oliver Kirch (muscle tear), Hendrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle), Nuri Sahin (knee), Marco Reus (knee)
As if Schalke needed more defensive trouble, Ayhan left the Werder Bremen match at midweek with a gash. Matip replaced him, his first action after resting a groin injury. Both could feature prominently in defense, but Keller will likely have to put Neustädter at center back just in case. Sam’s absence is not a major loss with the return of Boateng from suspension.
The biggest news of the fixture will be the return of Mats Hummels, who has not started a match since the World Cup final due to knee trouble. He played a quarter of an hour against VfB Stuttgart at midweek, and Jürgen Klopp is believes he is fit enough to return fully to Dortmund’s defense. With Mkhitaryan and Reus injured, Klopp will likely play a similar christmas tree formation as he did last week.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. local, 9:30 a.m. ET
Venue: Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
TV: MyGermanTV+ (USA), Sky Bundesliga | HD (Germany)
Online: Sky Go (Germany)
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