Schalke hosted Hertha Berlin in the late match on Saturday. The game would see Roberto Di Matteo, take charge of the Royal Blues for the first time. The away side headed into the match in somewhat good form coming off a 3-2 victory at home to Armin Veh's Stuttgart. However Schalke will have been hoping to forget their last outing; a 2-1 defeat away to high flying Hoffenheim; a match that was Jens Keller's last in charge of the Royal Blues.
In his first match, Di Matteo made wholesale changes with 3 new faces coming in. Kevin Prince Boateng, formally of Hertha, replaced Max Meyer, Benedikt Höwedes came in for Marco Höger and 19 year old Kaan Ayhan replaced suspended Joel Matip. Hertha boss, Jos Luhukayhowever made no changes fielding the same side that overcame Stuttgart two weeks ago. The Schalke faithful, joined by the travelling supporters from the capital made for a great atmosphere for Di Matteo debut in the dug-outs.
It was a scrappy start to the game, with neither side keeping hold of the ball for large spells. However, in the 8th minute Japanese right back was released down the flank and eventually squared for Dutch talisman, Klaas Jan Huntelaar who somehow managed to miss the target; Schalke really should have took the lead. The next chance fell to the visitors. Summer signing Per Ciljan Skjelbred was presented the ball from Ben-Hatira he blasted the ball goalbound only for Ralph Fahrmann to save. The rebound fell to Peter Pekarik who looked destined to score, however Christian Fuchs threw himself infront of the ball to stop a certain goal.
The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute; after some good play from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting the ball found itself with Julian Draxler. The young German crossed to Huntelaar who made no mistake and powerfully headed home from just inside the 18 yard box. The perfect start for Roberto Di Matteo!
Directly after their goal, the hosts sat off hoping to control the game. But this plan backfired and it was the away side who instead controlled the majority of possession and play. Hertha were causing Schalke some problems down their left flank. Valentin Stocker, summer signing from Basle, found numerous pockets of space and in the 24th minute he crossed looking for Soloman Kalou; but a superb last ditch challenge from captain, Höwedes kept Schalke ahead. Skjelbred had another chance in the 38th when the ball was played infront of him, however his ambitious effort was no trouble for Fahrmann in the Schalke goal.
For all Hertha's pressure, they couldn't muster an equaliser before the break. Halftime score; Schalke 1-0 Hertha.
The second half began the same as the first did; again neither side could keep control of the ball. The first shot of the second half went to the visitors. Tunisian, Anis Ben-Hatira unleashed a curling effort but it caused no trouble to Fahrmann.
But just as in the first half Schalke scored after a poor start. Draxler picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fainted past numerous challenges. He then got away his shot; which was cruelly deflected by Fabian Lustenberger past Thomas Kraft. In all honesty, 2-0 flattered the Royal Blues at this point in the match, but it gave the hosts some valuable breathing space.
It was the tale of another deflected shot at the other end, but this one was saved. Peter Pekarik cut inside on to his left foot and his eventual shot was blocked, but it looped up and for a moment looked to be going in; until Fahrmann came to the rescue and superbly saved.
The rest of the game followed the trend of the earlier periods, with neither side creating a notable chance. Professional from Schalke, you could call it. Final score at the Veltins Arena, Schalke 2-0 Hertha. The results leaves Hertha without an away win since Febuary; something that'll need to change soon if Jos Luhukay is looking for a succesful season. However, it'll be the perfect start for Di Matteo and he'll be hoping for his side to push on and climb the table.